Dustin Milligan, December 15th 2025

The use of Flock Safety license plate reader cameras in Terre Haute has prompted strong public reaction, with residents voicing both support and concern over privacy, oversight, and transparency.

After Terre Haute Vice News asked a neutral question about the cameras on social media, the post generated hundreds of reactions and comments, revealing widespread interest in how the technology is being used locally.

Flock cameras are designed to help law enforcement identify stolen vehicles, missing persons, and vehicles connected to investigations by capturing license plates and basic vehicle details. Supporters argue the system improves efficiency and public safety.

Others raised concerns about data control, how long information is stored, who can access it, and whether the system could expand without public approval.

Those concerns mirror a federal lawsuit filed in Norfolk, Virginia, where plaintiffs argue that widespread use of license plate reader cameras may violate the Fourth Amendment. The lawsuit claims that while a single license plate scan may be lawful, the long-term collection and storage of vehicle location data can amount to continuous tracking of individuals without a warrant. The ACLU of Indiana has made similar arguments, comparing large-scale license plate reader systems to the government placing a GPS tracking device on a person’s vehicle. The case is ongoing and has not been decided on the merits.

Terre Haute Vice News independently estimated the cost of the Flock Safety system using commonly reported vendor pricing of approximately $2,500 per camera per year. Based on 30 cameras observed in operation, the estimated annual cost would be approximately $75,000. This estimate includes hardware, software access, and data storage, but actual costs may vary depending on contract terms, data retention length, and negotiated pricing. As of publication, the City of Terre Haute has not released public documentation confirming total costs, contract terms, or oversight policies.

What the cameras do — and don’t do

They can:

• Capture license plates and vehicle details

• Log time and general location

• Alert police to flagged vehicles

They cannot:

• Identify drivers or passengers

• Use facial recognition

• Track phones or record audio

• Issue tickets

Residents also questioned the lack of a clearly published local policy explaining cost, oversight, and data retention.

Terre Haute Vice News has requested clarification from city officials and is awaiting a response.