You’ve probably driven by them hundreds, maybe even thousands of times. The poll by the side of the road, typically at intersections, with the angled solar panel a little larger than a laptop screen perched above the watchful eye of a typically black camera. Once you know what to look for, the cameras are fairly easy to spot.
Flock Safety is a leader in the public safety, security, and surveillance technology industry, with cameras in cities and townships nationwide—including Ottawa County. Across the county, there are currently 31 Flock cameras operated by the Sheriff's Office. Some municipalities have additional cameras installed, such as the City of Holland which has another 21.
These particular cameras, used by local law enforcement, are automatic license plate readers (ALPR) and capture a snapshot of the rear of a vehicle that passes by. Flock terms the snapshot a “vehicle fingerprint,” which includes license plate number, license plate image, vehicle make, model, and color, and any vehicle characteristics such as dents, stickers, luggage rack, etc. There is also a time, date, and location stamp.
What is not captured is the driver or driver demographics. There is no facial recognition, video, or audio capability on the ALPRs.
The data collected is logged by AI and can be searched by law enforcement. Captain Jake Sparks, of the Ottawa County Sherriff’s Office (OCSO), spearheaded the ALPR project. He said it was a dream of his to bring the technology to the county to combat the growing transient crime. Though they’ve only been fully in operation a year, Sparks so far considers the cameras a great success.
When it comes to the data, Sparks explained that there is a process to accessing it. A deputy or investigator needs a specific law enforcement reason—an investigation or complaint number that the search would be tied or related to—in order to justify searching the database. The database also can be shared with neighboring agencies or agencies statewide.
The data that is captured is only accessible for thirty days, and then it’s deleted. Sparks pointed out that the technology is the same as what is used in other scenarios, such as at car washes. When you pull your vehicle into a car wash, your license plate is read and the arm goes up, allowing you to enter. He added that the OCSO is not using the cameras for traffic enforcement.
When asked what he thinks of the technology for law enforcement, Sparks said: “I think it's been incredible. It's saved lives, it's recovered property, it's helped us solve crime.”
Sparks gave a play-by-play of how the cameras work by using an example of an armed robbery at the Mobil gas station in Allendale. The OCSO might get a call that a suspect fled eastbound toward Grand Rapids in a red Dodge Charger, license plate number 12345. The OCSO could enter that vehicle into the system and create a “hot list.” Then, if that vehicle were to past a Flock camera in Grand Rapids, the OSCO would get an alert.
Another way the database is used is that deputies receive a direct notification from the National Crime Intelligence Center if a vehicle flagged as stolen passes one of OSCO’s cameras. The technology has helped with potential human trafficking and kidnapping cases as well. Sparks said that more often than not people from out of the area come into the county, commit a crime, and then leave again—having no real ties here.
And criminal investigations are not the only purpose for the cameras. The OSCO use the cameras to locate people who are suicidal before they harm themselves, missing persons, and even people with Alzheimer’s who have driven off and can’t be found.
“Lives have been saved because of the people that we've recovered by linking them to a vehicle,” Sparks said. “I want to get the suspects, but I also want to recover victims.”
Looking at the outcomes from January 2025 to roughly mid December, there have been 47 arrests, $315,000 recovered in stolen property, 27 stolen vehicles recovered, seven firearms seized, and six cases of located missing or suicidal subjects directly linked to Flock.
According to Flock Safety’s website, all data from the cameras is encrypted throughout its entire lifecycle, from capture to storage in the cloud. Customers own the data and control all data sharing. The data is then permanently deleted “in accordance with applicable law and the locally established parameters for data retention.” Currently, there is no law that requires Flock to delete data.
When Sparks was asked what would happen if Flock were to sell or mismanage data or even sell the company to a foreign entity, he said that OCSO simply would terminate the contract. Sparks added that he has no concern about Flock doing something underhanded with the data and that they are probably the most reputable and widespread company in the industry.
As for data sharing, the OCSO initially was partnering nationwide with law enforcement agencies. However, due to a recent court case in another state where a department was ordered to release data, the OCSO has restricted data sharing to statewide for the time being.
Captain Robert Buursma, of the City of Holland Police Department, said that when it comes to how Flock stores data, “I don't know how all that works on the back end… Flock has to work with the FBI to be able to connect, run it, and find out if it's a stolen plate or not. But somehow they can't ever see [the data] on their end.” Buursma was unsure how long the data is stored before Flock deletes the data but thought it would be a “fairly short window” and “right in the same ballpark” of what other departments are doing.
According to Buursma, since the data is CJI (criminal justice information), it’s highly protected. “I have no doubt that whatever systems the Feds are requiring [Flock Safety] to do, it's going be secure,” Buursma said.
Besides law enforcement, Flock Safety has other customers as well. Private business, retail establishments, even HOAs are turning to Flock to help with security measures. The cameras used in these settings typically capture audio and video. In turn, these businesses have the option to share their data with law enforcement.
In cities like Atlanta, there is a coordinated effort of surveillance between the local police department, businesses, and citizens who supply data collected through devices such as Ring doorbell. Is Ottawa County headed in this direction?
When asked his view on whether Flock cameras can be seen as conducting surveillance without a warrant, Sparks was thoughtful in his response. First he addressed the data capture, saying that the cameras are not monitoring anything that’s not open to the public and on open roadway. Sparks added that he is “obviously a big proponent of the Constitution,” and that the cameras are not targeting any specific person or vehicle, but rather every vehicle that passes by.
He then addressed surveillance, which he defined as following a specific person, watching what that person is doing in and outside of the vehicle. ALPRs do not do surveillance. Sparks said he understands some of the public perception, but that his message about the cameras is that: “There’s a lot more good that happens [than not]… Who among us wouldn't want our vehicle recovered sooner if it was stolen… or our missing loved one located if they were suicidal, missing or happen to have dementia or Alzheimer's and went off driving? And if it was one person a year, I would say that's enough to justify having the tool.”
While he appreciates people's perspectives, Sparks said the people who have concerns probably have driven past cameras they didn't even know were there, and they probably carry a cell phone that is tracking them much more than any cameras taking a picture of their license plate or the back of their vehicle. Even so, he understands people are on high alert because of Google ads that show up after searching, or Ring doorbells that are watching us.
“But you have to look at the greater good on things,” Sparks said. “In my opinion, the greater good to me is preventing a crime, or solving a crime, or saving a missing person.”
Sparks likened the cameras to going through airport security checks, saying the checks don’t really bother people unless they’re doing something wrong—just as with ALPRs. People drive past them all the time nationwide on a daily basis, and law enforcement doesn’t go looking for them or searching them unless there’s a reason.
If an opportunity presents itself, Sparks said he would advocate for more cameras but added that the cost and expense to taxpayers would need to be weighed against the value. In 2024, each camera cost around $2500 in addition to the service fees. As of yet, the OCSO hasn’t gotten any complaints about the cameras.
But how many people in the community even are aware the cameras are there? Should residents have been able to weigh in on their use, especially since their tax dollars help fund the technology?
In the City of Holland, the Flock cameras have been installed for about three years. According to Buursma, one problem is that there are “just not enough cameras around.” He said success of the cameras depends on the vehicle they’re looking for being on the right roads and then the cameras actually capturing the vehicle.
In Norfolk, Virginia, two residents sued the City of Norfolk after discovering their vehicles had been captured by Flock cameras 475 times and 325 times respectively over a four-month period. The plaintiffs called the use of the cameras “dragnet warrantless surveillance.” Just this week, on January 27, 2026, a U.S. District Court judge ruled in in favor of the City of Norfolk, saying that ALPRs do not violate the Fourth Amendment privacy rights.
Unlike Carpenter v United States, where long-term tracking of individual movements through a cellphone was found to violate privacy rights, and United States v Jones 2012, where tracking an individual through a GPS on a car without a search warrant violated the amendment, the Norfolk judge ruled that “Flock data does not capture enough information to catalogue citizens’ movements in their entirety.” There are plans to appeal the ruling.
A few states have passed restrictions on ALPRs, outlining where the data sharing, data retention limits, and penalties for misuse. Michigan currently has no such restrictions. But according to Appeals Attorney Mark Lipton, Michigan courts have ruled that ALPR surveillance is legal and that drivers have no reasonable expectation of privacy regarding their license plates. Regardless of there not being a state law, both OCSO and HPD have policies and restrictions in place for using ALPRs.
When it comes to ALPRs, all citizens are being tracked, not just suspected criminals. As more and more cameras are added, it seems it won’t be long before law enforcement will be able to capture "citizens' movements in their entirety," which the Norfolk judge claimed had so far not been achieved.
There are obvious benefits when it comes to criminal investigation, and for someone who has had a loved one found in an Amber Alert or other desperate situation, there is no doubt the technology can be invaluable. So how do you objectively weigh those benefits against the surrender of privacy and the risk of the data falling into nefarious hands, domestic or foreign?
As with cellphones, smart TVs, laptops, etc., residents were not made aware of the technology or given the choice whether they wanted to be surveilled. Many of us simply stumbled upon the existence of Flock cameras, having had no idea that “some” of our comings and goings were being captured or that our taxes have been paying for the capturing, the cameras, the data storage, the fees, all of it.
It has been said that the presence of these cameras resembles a panopticon—a circular prison with cells arranged around a central well that allows a watchman to observe occupants without the occupants knowing whether or not they are being watched.
Where are we headed? Should we be advocating for boundaries and restrictions?
Please share your thoughts in the comments.
For a look at where some of the cameras are in your area, visit deflock.me or alprwatch.org.
Krista Yetzke is a native of Ottawa County. A jeep-driving, guitar-playing wife, mom, and everyday adventurer, Krista was raised on the love of Jesus, the great outdoors, the arts, the value of frugality, and the beauty of food as medicine.
Copyright © 2025 Hollander Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without written authorization. By providing your email or phone number, you are consenting to receive emails, calls, and SMS/MMS messages from The Hollander and affiliates. Msg & data rates may apply.
