Long Island Police Conducted Nearly 3,000 Manual Searches of Flock Surveillance Database in One Month
Long Island police departments conducted nearly 3,000 manual searches through the controversial Flock surveillance database in just one month, according to new data obtained by an attorney.
New York, NY, September 21, 2026 —
Long Island police departments performed close to 3,000 manual searches within the Flock surveillance database over a single month, based on recently acquired data. The information was obtained by an attorney, though the specific identity of the attorney and the exact month the data pertains to were not immediately available.
The Flock surveillance system, which utilizes automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, has become a point of contention in discussions surrounding privacy and law enforcement practices. The system captures images of vehicles and their license plates, storing this data for police to access and review.
The reported figure of nearly 3,000 manual searches indicates a significant level of engagement with the database by law enforcement agencies across Long Island within the observed timeframe. Manual searches typically involve officers actively inputting queries or reviewing data based on specific investigative needs, as opposed to automated alerts triggered by the system itself.
While the exact number of departments contributing to this search total is not specified, the scope suggests widespread use of the Flock database by policing entities on the island. The data’s release follows growing public and legal scrutiny of surveillance technologies and their deployment by police.
The controversial nature of such databases stems from concerns about potential misuse, data privacy, and the extent of government surveillance capabilities. The substantial number of manual searches raises questions about the investigative strategies employed and the volume of data being accessed by police in their day-to-day operations. Further details regarding the specific agencies involved, the purposes of these searches, and the full context of the data’s release are pending.
Story summarized from the original created by Brandon Cruz on nypost.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
