Flock Camera Locations

How to report a Flock camera you found

You don't need to be tech-savvy for this. If you've ever dropped a pin on a map app, you already know how — no coding, no app to install, just five simple steps.

  1. Make a free account. Go to openstreetmap.org and click “Sign Up” in the top right. It just asks for a username, email, and password — like signing up for anything else online.
  2. Zoom to where you saw the camera. Once you’re logged in, click “Edit” near the top of the page. A map opens — drag and zoom it (exactly like Google Maps) until you can see the exact spot.
  3. Click the spot and label it. Click the point (dot) icon in the toolbar, then click the map right where the camera stands. A small panel pops up asking what it is — type “surveillance camera” in the search box and pick the closest match from the list.
  4. Fill in a couple of details. The panel will show a few optional boxes. If there’s a “type” option, choose or type “ALPR” (short for license plate reader). If there’s a direction option, you can point it the way the camera faces — but it’s fine to skip anything you’re not sure about.
  5. Save. Click the “Save” button, type a couple of words like “added a camera” when it asks why, and click Save again. That’s it — you’re done.

Not sure what you’re looking at before you report it? Check what a Flock camera looks like first — the solar panel and short standalone pole are the giveaway.

What happens after you report a camera

Your submission is saved immediately. This site refreshes its own snapshot of that data on a regular schedule, so newly reported cameras typically appear on our live map within a couple of weeks.

For anyone curious how it works behind the scenes

You don’t need any of this to complete the steps above — it’s just here for anyone technical who’s curious. Picking “surveillance camera” and “ALPR” from the menus sets two labels on the map data: man_made=surveillance and surveillance:type=ALPR. Adding a direction sets camera:direction=* to a compass bearing, and naming the brand sets manufacturer=Flock Safety(or whichever it is). None of that is required — the menu options do it for you.

Reporting concerns, not just locations

If what you actually want to report is a policy concern — a camera installed without public notice, a program you think your city should reconsider — that’s a different kind of “report” and goes through your local government, not a map. City council meetings and public records requests (see are Flock camera locations public?) are the effective route for that.

See the cameras for yourself

Open the live Flock camera map, check cameras near you, or browse locations by state.

Keep reading

Common questions

How do I report a Flock camera I found?

Follow the five steps on this page — they walk you through adding it to OpenStreetMap, the free map this site's data comes from. It's all point-and-click: no coding, no app to install, just a free account and a few minutes.

Do I need to be technical or good with computers to do this?

No. If you've ever dropped a pin on Google Maps or filled out a simple online form, you already have every skill this requires. There's no coding involved — you'll click a spot on a map, pick an option from a list, and press save.

Is there an official way to report Flock cameras to Flock Safety or the police?

No — there is no public form for reporting a camera to Flock Safety itself, and there is nothing to "report" to police about a camera's mere existence, since the installations are legal. Community mapping is how sightings become public information.

Do I need an account to report a camera?

Yes, a free OpenStreetMap account — it takes about a minute and just needs a username, email, and password. No real name required.

Will my reported camera show up on this map?

Yes. This site pulls a fresh snapshot of the data on a regular schedule, so a camera you add typically appears here within a couple of weeks — and on every other project built on the same open, shared map.

Can I report a camera anonymously?

Yes. OpenStreetMap accounts don't require your real name — any username works, and edits are attributed to that username, not to you personally.