Axon executives are discussing a redesign of their automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) to distinguish them from Flock cameras, which face widespread vandalism. This conversation emerged during comments made by Axon’s leadership in a webinar that has since been taken down.
The optics of a camera shape
Mike Wagers, Axon’s Chief Customer Officer, took a question from the remote audience during an August 26 session titled “From backlash to trust.” He asked if there was talk of redesigning the Outpost, the company’s fixed ALPR unit, so it did not look exactly like a Flock camera.
“We are looking at […] do we change the general shape,” Rick Smith, Axon’s CEO, replied.
Smith noted that some customers wanted a different look because of the backlash against Flock. He argued that placing a camera higher up, as with the Lightpost product which attaches to streetlights, makes it harder to vandalise. He also suggested that some people would prefer a camera that looks less like an ALPR. Conversely, Smith mentioned a pending idea to make the cameras more explicit, using signs to show their location and describe local policies.
Why the cameras are being targeted
404 Media obtained a copy of the webinar before Axon removed it. The platform MegaraMedia, a YouTuber, shared the file with the publication. A question displayed on a QR code during the event read, “Is there any talk to redesign the Outpost to not look exactly like the Flock camera — I think it will help agencies with the optics while we batten down the hatches…”
Across the country, people have destroyed Flock cameras by tearing them down, backing trucks into them, or spray-painting their lenses. Authorities have arrested and charged multiple people in connection with this vandalism. In one instance, a police officer used a fake, 3D-printed Flock camera as bait. Authorities subsequently charged a man who broke the decoy with three felonies.
One reason some cities switched from Flock to Axon is Flock’s national network. This system allows a cop in one state to search cameras in another state. 404 Media found that some police departments did not know or understand their cameras were accessible by other agencies when reporting on lookups for ICE.
Smith described the situation as a “hell of a storm.” He added that Axon is trying to take advantage of the sustained opposition against Flock. One law enforcement customer suggested the camera redesign would “help with the optics while we batten down the hatches” as the backlash spreads.
What the data shows
Reports indicate that some towns and cities are switching from Flock to Axon’s cameras after specific incidents involving Flock. These incidents include cops performing lookups for ICE, tracking a woman who self-administered an abortion, and repeated abuse of access to stalk ex-spouses.
ALPRs constantly scan the license plate, brand, model, and other identifying features of all vehicles that drive past the camera. The system creates a timestamped log of activity searchable by law enforcement without a warrant.
