Police Misuse of License-Plate Cameras: Tracking Women Across Departments

An investigation has found dozens of police officers misusing license-plate reader networks, including the Flock Safety system, to track women they knew personally. At least 50 officers nationwide are implicated, with some performing hundreds of queries over extended periods. Audit logs exist but oversight is inconsistent and often reactive to complaints. Privacy advocates warn that these tools can reconstruct detailed movement patterns with little immediate accountability, while officials argue they’re essential for policing, highlighting a lack of federal governance and a push for stronger safeguards.