6 Myths About License Plate Readers and Security Systems

*This article was updated on October 13, 2025.

When combatting neighborhood crime, there are many kinds of security systems with very different features and benefits for your neighborhood or HOA board to choose from. 

A Flock Safety license plate reader (LPR) camera is one option proven to help keep neighborhoods safe. 6000+ communities across the United States trust Flock Safety, ranging from neighborhoods, apartment complexes, businesses, and more looking to level up their safety with technology.

Below are six common myths about LPRs to help you decide whether they could be a good fit for your community.

MYTH 1: License Plate Reading Cameras Are Only For Law Enforcement

You may think LPRs are just for law enforcement use, but neighborhoods, townhomes, apartment communities, and businesses also see increased safety using these cameras. 

Flock cameras capture the license plate information of the vehicles that drive through your neighborhood, which is crucial evidence during a criminal investigation. Plus, if your neighborhood chooses to share footage with local law enforcement, law enforcement will be automatically notified when a wanted vehicle enters your neighborhood, allowing them to take action immediately.

Read More: 5 Times License Plate Reader Data Saved the Day

MYTH 2: LPR Cameras ONLY Capture License Plates

While they’re designed to capture license plates, Flock cameras also capture images of the back of a vehicle that can be helpful in a criminal investigation. Flock Safety’s Vehicle Fingerprint Technology identifies the type, make, color, and other identifying characteristics of a vehicle, such as a roof rack. It can also distinguish between permanent and temporary (paper) plates. 

This feature was needed when a homeowner in an Indianapolis neighborhood experienced theft. Although the homeowner did not see the vehicle used to commit the crime, a neighbor noticed a few details. 

“We were able to ID the car because we had a witness see the gentleman do it. They told us what the car looked like, the color, make, and time, and we were able to go to the footage and get the car with the license plate,” Jayson Parker, the HOA President, told the Indianapolis news.

MYTH 3: LPR Cameras Are Very Costly

Flock cameras were designed with neighborhoods in mind, and our subscription service model includes camera setup, installation, and maintenance for a turn-key experience.

Think about it this way: in the average U.S. neighborhood of 50 homes, the cost of crime protection and neighborhood security for one homeowner could be as low as $50 per year.

Read more: How Flock Safety Helped An Arizona Community Save $40,000 A Year

MYTH 4: Security Systems Require Wiring and Complex Installation

Flock Safety cameras are infrastructure-free, powered by a solar panel and connected to LTE (just like a cell phone) to transmit information. This allows the cameras to be installed almost anywhere in your neighborhood with no additional utility cost.

An added benefit is that these LPR cameras blend in seamlessly with neighborhoods. This was a big selling point for Lakeland City Commissioner Wesley Wright. “It’s not an eyesore. It gives you safety but doesn’t take away from the beauty around you,” Wesley said about Lakeland’s Flock cameras.

MYTH 5: Installing Cameras In My Neighborhood Means Sacrificing Privacy

Privacy is not something anyone should have to sacrifice for safety, which is why Flock customers own 100% of their data. This means we will never sell or share public safety data or footage with third parties. Once captured, footage is transmitted immediately to a secure cloud server and then deleted from the device. All footage is deleted from our servers after 30 days on default, or in the timeframe required by state and local law.

MYTH 6: My Neighborhood Is Already Safe – We Don’t Need Cameras

Sure, maybe you’ve experienced a porch pirate, or your neighbor was the victim of mail theft, but nothing really dangerous has happened on your street, so you’re hesitant. Is going to the trouble of installing cameras really necessary?

The FBI reports that home burglary victims suffer an average of $2,661 in property loss, and even a relatively modest increase in property crime can depreciate home values. But beyond financial factors, your home should be where you and your family feel the safest. Even if you haven’t experienced a crime, when it comes to your neighborhood, is feeling pretty safe good enough?

Flock cameras can help ensure that when it comes to your community’s safety and security, you leave nothing to chance.

Ready to find out how Flock cameras can help level up your community’s safety? Speak with a Safety Expert today.

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