Crime & justice

Massachusetts Officer Allegedly Used Flock to Stalk Ex-Girlfriend

Does Flock need independent oversight or is it a valuable system that just needs better accountability?

15 hours ago·Updated 3 hours ago

Massachusetts Officer Allegedly Used Flock to Stalk Ex-Girlfriend

Story

Above: A Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) on a light pole in Burbank, California, on Aug. 3. Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

Pacheco's case shows the danger of giving police broad access to a surveillance system that can be used for personal tracking. Flock's new audits, case codes and shorter retention help, but they don't solve the core problem: officers still control searches. With more than 100 jurisdictions already backing away from Flock, stronger independent oversight — not corporate guardrails — is needed.

GO Magazine American Civil Liberties Union DeFlock

Pro-establishment narrative

Flock can be a valuable public-safety tool without giving police a free pass. A temporary suspension, review of past use, internal investigations and new policies can address privacy and oversight concerns, while Flock's updated measures add mandatory audits, case codes and shorter data retention. The goal should be careful, accountable use, not abandoning useful tools because one officer allegedly abused them.

New Bedford Police Department

Flock Safety on Youtube