Flock Safety, which sells license-plate-reading cameras to police departments and cities, is reportedly planning to cut 270 jobs—about 18% of its workforce—by late October.
Florida has banned its cameras on state highways, and Texas has stopped state funding for them.
The developments put the company’s workforce plans alongside a wider policy debate about public camera systems.
Flock Safety sells license plate recognition cameras to police departments and cities. It employs about 1.500 people. Three weeks before the Reuters report, WIRED reported that the company had begun a voluntary redundancy program with generous severance packages. It is unclear how many of the employees affected by the cuts will be laid off through that program.
Reactions from different political sides
Florida has banned cameras on its highways. Governor Ron DeSantis said he doesn't want the state to become a "surveillance state."
Texas has cut off state funding for the cameras. Gov. Greg Abbott is preparing for the November 2026 midterm elections.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has criticized the cameras as a law enforcement tool and said he would welcome legislation to ban them. The Los Angeles Police Department did not renew its contract with Flock Safety.
The cameras have also been criticized by commentators, including Hasan Piker and Tucker Carlson. Meanwhile, people who destroy or steal Flock cameras have become popular on social media and have received support from commentators.
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