By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A growing number of cities and towns across Arizona have ended their use of Flock Safety automated license plate readers (ALPRs), amid recent reports of misuse of the technology and public concern.
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The moves come as the Arizona Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation into how police departments use ALPRs.
While some have ended their use of the technology, others continue to deploy the cameras, arguing that it’s still a vital tool for tracking down criminals and preventing crime. Phoenix, Tucson and Mesa are among Arizona’s largest cities continuing the use of Flock cameras.
Here’s a list of the cities, towns and other state agencies in Arizona that have either discontinued their Flock cameras and canceled their contracts with the company, or suspended their use for now.
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Cave Creek
The town had originally planned to discuss how to “find a balance” between protecting its residents’ privacy and continued use of the Flock system, with recommendations and potential policies.
But town staff changed their minds after a Flock camera was stolen from 32nd Street and Carefree Highway, along with reports of other abuse cases locally and nationally.
On Aug. 26, the town ended its use of the Flock cameras, saying it was “in the best interest of the community.”
Chandler
Chandler on Aug. 7 said someone within their organization may have misused the system, prompting the city to immediately shut down the use of its 40 Flock cameras. An officer admitted to misusing the cameras to track a family member and resigned before a formal investigation could be completed.
Cottonwood
The city announced on Sept. 4 that it would suspend use of Flock license plate readers, effective immediately. The suspension will remain in place until the city council decides whether to continue their use in a Sept. 22 meeting.
Flagstaff
After months of back and forth, the city council unanimously voted on Dec. 16, 2025, to terminate its contract with Flock.
Payson
After an evaluation of the camera system’s role in public safety, the small mountain town of Payson decided to end its contract with Flock, officials announced on Sept. 5.
Town officials, however, noted several cases where the system helped in criminal cases.
Pinal County
Pinal County announced last month it wouldn’t renew its contract with Flock, which expires at the end of September.
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Note: The decision affects unincorporated areas of Pinal County, but does not impact cities or towns that may have their own contracts with Flock.
Sedona
The city in Red Rock Country was the first in Arizona to suspend Flock cameras.
Sedona first installed the cameras in June 2025, and it didn’t take long for its residents to rally against them.
The city paused use of the Flock cameras in August before the council voted unanimously in September to permanently end their use.
Sierra Vista
The city of Sierra Vista, southeast of Tucson, ended its Flock contract in February, due to outcry from the community, Arizona’s Family sister station KOLD reported.
South Tucson
In May, South Tucson ended its contract with Flock also after community pushback, according to KOLD.
Surprise
The city of Surprise on Aug. 17 said that it canceled its contract with Flock Safety after placing an officer on leave for potentially misusing the system.
The officer was later cleared of any wrongdoing, and the city’s police department said the abnormal activity it found during an audit was actually a technical issue, rather than a policy violation.
The city said it would evaluate whether it would use license plate readers.
“Moving forward, the City plans to assess the needs of the police department and evaluate various public safety technologies based on that assessment, which may include ALPRs,” city officials said in a statement.
Tempe
Despite saying it never turned up any incidents of abuse of its Flock system, the city turned off its Flock cameras on Aug. 26, arguing that the “risk of misuse is too great.”
The city also said it will not look for another company to replace the system, as some cities that have dropped Flock have instead pivoted to using its competitor, Scottsdale-based company Axon.
Reports of misuse
- Apache Junction: An officer resigned after an internal investigation found he had misused the system to track down his wife. The department has kept its Flock cameras.
- Chandler: An officer with the East Valley city resigned after admitting to misusing the Flock system to track a family member.
- Goodyear: Goodyear is investigating whether an officer, who was placed on leave in July, misused the system and committed a criminal violation. Goodyear continues to use its Flock ALPRs.
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