tech
Flock misread license plates in 71% of alerts sent to police in one California town
Hi ███, Thanks for keeping this at the top of the priority list and for reiterating the severity of these issues on your end. I appreciate the dedication given to figure out the root of this issue and how to fix it. Candidly, we really need a tangible resolution to gain positive traction again; our trust in the system degrades each time we run into this major issue. I’m hopeful you and your team will come to a resolution soon. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance on my end. Thanks,
TL;DR
- Flock Safety's AI license plate readers misread license plates in 71% of alerts sent to Roseville police in 2023-2024.
- The system has repeatedly misidentified vehicles, flagging them as stolen or used in felony crimes due to character misinterpretations.
- Roseville police have reported numerous issues to Flock, including missed vehicles, blurry images, and delayed alerts.
- The unique camera setup in Roseville, capturing only vehicle backs, may have contributed to some of the misreading problems.
- Similar inaccuracies in other jurisdictions have led to innocent people being stopped at gunpoint or detained.
- California lawmakers are calling for a statewide review of license plate reader reliability due to these errors.
- Despite ongoing issues, Roseville continues to contract with Flock, citing its role in solving crimes, while acknowledging the need for human oversight.