In the heart of Western New York, a vast network of license plate readers (LPRs) is quietly monitoring the movements of vehicles across Erie and Niagara counties. These sophisticated cameras, installed by various law enforcement agencies, capture and store data on thousands of vehicles daily, raising both public safety and privacy concerns.
The use of LPRs has become a contentious issue, with proponents arguing for their effectiveness in solving crimes and critics highlighting the potential for widespread surveillance. This article delves into the extent of this technology’s deployment, its implications, and the ongoing debate surrounding its use.
Extensive Deployment of License Plate Readers
Erie County leads the region with the highest number of LPRs, boasting 291 cameras, according to data from DeFlock, an open-source project. This number surpasses any other county in upstate New York, with only a few counties in the New york city metropolitan area having more. Niagara County follows with 49 cameras, while other counties in the region have significantly fewer.
The cameras are strategically placed in various locations, including shopping centers like The Boulevard plaza in Amherst, educational institutions such as Buffalo State University, and even low-income housing areas. These devices record a vehicle’s make, model, color, markings, and license plate, storing the information in a database accessible to thousands of police agencies nationwide.
The Technology Behind the Surveillance
The LPRs in Western New York are primarily manufactured by three companies: Flock SafetyGenetec and Axon. Flock Safety, a fast-growing technology company backed by Silicon Valley funding, has faced criticism from privacy advocates and even its own CEO, Garret Langley, who has called the tracking of his company’s cameras “terroristic” and similar to “antifa”.
Despite the controversy, law enforcement agencies continue to utilize this technology, citing its effectiveness in solving crimes and locating missing vehicles. Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police Chief Brian Patterson, for example, highlighted the benefits of using Flock’s network to find stolen cars and assist federal investigations.
Privacy Concerns and Data Sharing
Critics argue that the widespread use of LPRs constitutes unwarranted surveillance of the general public. Jonathan Manes, senior counsel at the MacArthur Justice Center, emphasized that “where you come and go is private information.” The sharing aspect of Flock’s network, which allows police departments to access data from other jurisdictions, further exacerbates these concerns.
Data analyzed by Investigative Post revealed that 20 police departments in Erie and Niagara counties conducted over 218,000 searches of the Flock network between and June 2026. The extent of data sharing varies among agencies, with some sharing information with hundreds of other departments across multiple states.
In response to these concerns, Flock Safety spokesperson Paris Lewbel stated that the company aims to balance public safety with drivers’ privacy. “We believe at Flock that privacy and safety should coexist,” Lewbel said, acknowledging the importance of the privacy conversation.
The Cost of Surveillance Technology
The cost of implementing LPRs varies significantly among agencies. Some departments lease the cameras, while others purchase them outright. Funding sources range from local taxpayer funds to federal grants, including those provided during the pandemic.
For instance, Buffalo used pandemic aid to purchase a batch of Genetec LPRs for $366,000, covering 14 intersections. The Town of Hamburg leases four Flock cameras at an annual cost of $12,000, while Cheektowaga leases 31 cameras for $25,000 per year. Amherst, which is switching its cameras from Flock to Axon, will spend $300,000 for 24 cameras but will own them instead of leasing.
The deployment of LPRs in Western New York continues to evolve, with new technologies such as Flock drones being introduced in the town and village of Lancaster. These drones, set to be deployed soon, will record live video of scenes and store the footage on a police server, raising further questions about privacy and surveillance.
