Vernon Parish Sheriff Addresses Concerns Over LPR Cameras

Louisiana - A big topic of conversation on Social Media over the last few days has been the use of LPR cameras in Southwest Louisiana. After questions and concerns began spreading online, the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office has stated the cameras and the purposes that they serve.

What Are LPR/Flock Cameras?

LPR cameras, sometimes called Flock cameras, are placed along public roads with approval from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the Louisiana State Police. These cameras record information that anyone can see from a public roadway, such as a vehicle's license plate, color, make, model, and the direction it is traveling.

Why Are People Raising Concerns Over LPR Flock Cameras?

People who are concerned about License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras generally point to a few key issues:

Privacy: While the cameras only photograph license plates and vehicles on public roads, critics worry they can create a detailed record of where people travel over time.
Potential Misuse: Privacy advocates say any database containing location information could be abused. There have been cases in other states where police officers improperly used LPR systems to look up the vehicles of romantic partners, family members, coworkers, or others for personal reasons. Those incidents have led to criminal charges and officer dismissals.
Data Security: Some people are concerned about how long the data is stored, who has access to it, and what could happen if the system were hacked or accessed without authorization.
Government Surveillance: Civil liberties groups argue that widespread LPR networks can amount to continuous government surveillance, especially when cameras are placed throughout a city or region. They believe collecting location data on large numbers of people who are not suspected of crimes raises constitutional concerns.

Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft Releases Statement on LPR Cameras

In a recent statement, Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft said that the cameras do not use facial recognition. They also do not identify drivers or passengers or track cell phones inside vehicles. Instead, the cameras only record information that can already be seen from a public roadway, such as a vehicle's license plate, its direction of travel, and other visible details.

Another concern of the public was WHO was able to see the footage... Craft says only authorized law enforcement officers can access the information. Officials say there are policies in place that control who can use the system, how long information is kept, and how the data is reviewed to help protect the public's privacy.

The cameras are already helping solve cases, according to VPSO. Deputies have already used the technology to recover stolen vehicles and other stolen property, identify suspects in theft and burglary cases, and locate people who fled into neighboring parishes.

Groups like the Institute for Justice have raised concerns about privacy and possible misuse of the systems, and this seems to be one of the biggest concerns that have been voiced on Social Media from citizens.

Institute for Justice says some police officers in other states have improperly used license plate reader databases to track romantic partners or other people for personal reasons. According to the Institute for Justice, it has identified at least 26 cases across the country where officers were accused of abusing the technology. Many of those officers were later fired, resigned, or faced criminal charges.

Here is the full statement from the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office:

Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office issues the following statement in relation to the use of LPR cameras within Vernon Parish to educate the public and stop the spreading of misinformation on the use of this technology as an investigative tool.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office is committed to using technology responsibly to enhance public safety while respecting the privacy and constitutional rights of the citizens we serve. One of the tools used to support criminal investigations is License Plate Reader (LPR) technology, which provides investigators with valuable leads in cases involving stolen vehicles, violent crimes, burglaries, missing persons, and other reported offenses. LPR cameras may also commonly be referred to as FLOCK cameras. FLOCK is the manufacturer of a particular brand of LPR camera.

LPR cameras have been installed on public rights-of-way with the approval of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and the Louisiana State Police. Camera placement complies with applicable state law and relevant court decisions governing the use of technology in public spaces.

LPR systems capture images of license plates and vehicle characteristics that are visible from public roadways. LPR technology does NOT identify drivers or passengers, nor does it use facial recognition. LPR technology does not monitor or report cellular devices located within a vehicle. Instead, the LPR records information that is already exposed to public view, such as direction of travel and license plate information, which provides investigators with objective data to help establish timelines, identify investigative leads, and corroborate evidence during criminal investigations.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office understands that the use of technology in public spaces raises legitimate questions about privacy and accountability. Access to LPR data is strictly limited to authorized personnel for legitimate law enforcement purposes. The system operates under departmental policies governing data access, retention, auditing, and appropriate use to ensure accountability and safeguard the public's trust.

Since its implementation, LPR technology has proven to be an effective investigative resource in numerous criminal investigations and public safety incidents. It has assisted deputies in identifying and apprehending suspects involved in thefts and burglaries, recovering stolen vehicles as well as other stolen property, and locating suspects who have fled into neighboring jurisdictions.

LPR technology has also played a key role in the recovery of a stolen Vernon Parish school bus linked to a multi-jurisdictional theft investigation, locating a vehicle stolen during the commission of a violent crime, and tracking a stolen motorcycle across multiple parishes until it was safely recovered. Additionally, LPR data has helped law enforcement quickly determine the direction of travel of suspect vehicles, enabling neighboring agencies to coordinate timely responses during critical investigations.

Beyond criminal investigations, LPR technology has enhanced public safety by helping to locate individuals who have become disoriented while driving due to neurological impairment. By identifying the location of their vehicles, deputies were able to coordinate with partner agencies to safely locate and reunite these vulnerable citizens with their families.

LPR technology also helps protect the innocent. During one investigation, LPR imagery confirmed that property being transported by a suspect vehicle did not match items reported as stolen, allowing investigators to quickly eliminate a person of interest from the investigation.
These real-world examples demonstrate that License Plate Reader technology is more than a crime-fighting tool. It assists investigators in developing leads, recovering stolen property, locating missing and vulnerable individuals, supporting regional law enforcement partnerships, and ensuring investigations are both effective and fair.
The Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office remains committed to transparency, accountability, and open communication with the public regarding the use of this technology. Protecting the safety of our residents while respecting individual privacy will continue to guide how these tools are used.

Community members with questions about the Sheriff's Office License Plate Reader program are encouraged to contact the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office to learn more about its policies, safeguards, and role in protecting our community.