Flock Safety license plate reader (LPR) usage in Oklahoma City

How long has OKC used Flock license plate readers?

  • The City's contract with Flock Safety began in 2023.

From the implementation of Flock Safety LPRs in OKC to Aug. 18, 2026, Flock license plate readers have played a role in solving:

  • 402 aggravated assaults
  • 259 robberies
  • 210 missing people
  • 60 murders
  • 38 forcible rapes
  • 34 kidnappings
  • 16 forcible sodomies
  • 1280 stolen vehicles recovered

How many Flock Safety license plate readers are in OKC? 

  • As of 2026, Oklahoma City owns 90 Flock license plate readers citywide and does not plan to purchase additional readers.
  • Any private entity can choose to install Flock Safety products on their private property, and the City has no jurisdiction over that relationship. These entities may or may not choose to share their data with OKCPD.
  • City Council approval is required for contract renewals with Flock Safety and for any expansion of the system over $50,000.

Flock license plate readers in OKC are not designed to:

  • Track vehicles continuously.
  • Capture video or audio.
  • Capture images of drivers or passengers.
  • Track speed or issue citations.
  • Collect personal or biometric info.
  • Collect facial recognition information.
  • Enforce speeding or redlight violations.

What is provided under OKC’s license plate reader agreement with Flock Safety?

  • Captures a snapshot, location and time stamp of vehicles that pass by a Flock Safety license plate reader.
  • Reads plate numbers, letters and state.
  • Identifies vehicle make, color and body-style and other characteristics of the vehicle.
  • Alerts police when vehicles listed in the FBI's National Crime Information Center database are detected.
  • Generates investigative leads (hot lists) for criminal cases. Hot lists are used for criminal investigations when there is a known tag number.

Who can access Flock license plate reader information?

  • Access is limited to authorized and trained police employees who have a legitimate law enforcement need.
  • Every search requires a documented, valid reason and each search is logged in Flock Safety's software.
  • Flock's Audit Assist system continuously monitors and flags unusual or abnormal search patterns, alerting the OKCPD system administrator.
  • OKC's agreement prohibits federal agencies from directly accessing OKCPD Flock Safety data.
  • Flock can't sell or share OKC's data without permission.
  • As of August 18, 2026, 109 law enforcement partners have access for law enforcement purposes, such as local law enforcement agencies.
  • Any law enforcement agency beyond the 109 partners can request access. Access will not be granted unless OKCPD has approved the request.
  • Search terms that include immigration and reproductive rights-related words are blocked by the system.
  • Use of Flock Safety is reviewed by the system administrator monthly in accordance with OKCPD directives.

How long will data be stored?

  • OKCPD is currently transitioning from a 30-day to a 7-day retention policy. The change will be in place by the end of 2026.
  • In active criminal investigations, OKCPD may retain relevant images beyond 7 days using the software's case retention feature.

When is the Flock contract up for renewal?

  • On August 18, 2026, the Oklahoma City Council voted to renew a $270,000 agreement with Flock Group for license plate reader software and hardware. The agreement is effective through June 2027 and will be reviewed and voted on annually by City Council.

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