ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is ending its contracts with Flock Safety, the company that provides automated license plate reader cameras used throughout the county.
The cameras, commonly known as Flock cameras, have been in operation in Bernalillo County since late 2023 and have been used by deputies to help locate stolen vehicles, find missing persons, and assist in investigations involving violent crimes.
Sheriff John Allen said the technology has proven effective, but concerns about data privacy prompted the decision to discontinue the program.
According to Allen, reports from around the nation involving privacy concerns and potential unauthorized access to camera data raised questions about the long-term use of the system.
Allen emphasized that BCSO conducts regular audits of camera usage and said the sheriff’s office has not identified any misuse of the system by deputies in Bernalillo County.
The sheriff also cited concerns about communication and oversight after learning that one of the cameras had been damaged without the agency being notified.
Despite ending the contracts, Allen acknowledged the cameras have been valuable investigative tools in helping deputies solve crimes and track vehicles connected to criminal investigations.
The timeline for removing the cameras has not yet been announced, but BCSO says all three of its contracts with Flock Safety will be terminated.
