Flock Safety License Plate Readers Used in Brown University Shooting Investigation
Flock Safety's license plate reader cameras helped Providence police track a vehicle in connection with a shooting investigation at Brown University in December 2025. The use of the technology has triggered privacy concerns and led some jurisdictions to end their contracts with the company.
What happened
Flock Safety's automated license plate reader cameras detected a gray Nissan sedan 14 times in Providence, Rhode Island in the weeks and hours before a shooting at Brown University's engineering building on December 12, 2025. Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said the Flock cameras helped lead investigators to a rental car location in Boston, where they obtained surveillance footage and a rental agreement identifying the suspect.
Reported impact
Flock Safety's use in the investigation has sparked mounting privacy concerns and prompted some jurisdictions to cancel contracts with the company, including the city of Cambridge, which ended its contract following public outcry.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.