Oakland NAACP Endorses Flock Safety Technology as Data Shows Clear Impact on Crime Reduction

In a pair of strong public statements — a formal endorsement letter and an accompanying press release — the historic Oakland chapter of the NAACP has called for the continued and expanded use of Flock Safety’s License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras across the city. 

Together, the documents urge the City of Oakland to fully fund and activate the Flock Safety camera system, citing clear evidence of its impact on crime reduction and community safety. 

At a moment when communities are demanding both improved safety and equitable justice, the Oakland NAACP highlighted that Flock’s LPR technology “offers a powerful tool to reduce bias in policing” by focusing solely on vehicles associated with a crime — not people — and removing the subjective human judgment that can lead to disproportionate stops of Black and Brown residents.

“Flock Safety’s LPR cameras detect only vehicles tied to a crime, removing the subjective judgment that too often leads to harmful interactions,” said Cynthia Adams, President of the Oakland NAACP. “This is how technology can support safer, fairer policing.”

Real Results Back the NAACP’s Call for Action

New findings from Oakland’s pilot deployment show just how impactful the technology has been. Between August 2024 and February 2025, Flock’s LPR cameras assisted in 98 arrests, and 89 cases cleared, despite the system only being partially deployed at that time

If that rate continues, Flock technology will support roughly 183 arrests in a full year.

In its statement, the NAACP urged the City of Oakland and the City Council to “continue to fund and activate the Flock Safety camera system already in place,” emphasizing that the infrastructure exists — what’s needed now is the political and financial will to ensure it is fully operational

Proven Impact on Violent Crime and Homicides

From January 1 to February 23, 2025, Oakland recorded 16 homicides or murder/manslaughter cases. Flock cameras were used in five of those cases (31%), contributing to three arrests (seven suspects total), two major investigative leads, three vehicles recovered, eight firearms seized, and narcotics recovered in one case.

The data also show a 11-point increase in Oakland’s violent crime clearance rate, signaling a significant shift toward accountability for serious offenses.

These results illustrate how technology can accelerate investigations and take dangerous individuals and weapons off the street — even in cases as serious as homicide.

The NAACP’s statement also emphasized that the Flock Safety system — which includes license plate readers, cameras, and drones — provides real-time data to law enforcement and helps prevent crimes before they occur. The organization credited Flock’s technology with delivering “a critical tool in combating the surge of criminal activity in our area,” particularly as Oakland continues to face persistent property crime and theft.

Addressing Human Trafficking and Other Critical Crimes

The NAACP’s letter also highlights how Flock technology aids in fighting human trafficking, a crisis that disproportionately affects the Black community. Alameda County ranks as the third-highest hotspot for human trafficking in the nation, with 61% of victims being African American.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which manages the nation’s AMBER Alert system, has credited its partnership with Flock Safety for helping resolve more than 100 missing child cases nationwide.

The Oakland NAACP urged local leaders not to “allow outdated narratives or political posturing to undermine tools that save lives and protect our neighborhoods.”

In addition, the organization called attention to barriers preventing broader use of technology in Oakland — specifically criticizing the role of the Oakland Privacy Commission for limiting camera placement. The NAACP argued that “resources devoted to support this commission should be used for fighting crime rather than making it more difficult to combat crime,” even calling for the commission’s abolition to ensure safety initiatives aren’t delayed.

Standing Together for Safety and Equity

From reducing violent crime to fighting human trafficking and recovering stolen vehicles, Oakland’s data and the NAACP’s leadership tell a clear story: public safety and equity are not mutually exclusive — they go hand in hand.

As the Oakland NAACP concluded in its release,

“Our community cannot afford to lose any momentum on public safety. Supporting and fully utilizing these tools is a practical, effective step toward reducing crime and safeguarding our families, local businesses, and public spaces.”

Flock Safety is proud to stand alongside organizations like the Oakland NAACP and NCMEC in building a future where technology strengthens trust, saves lives, and delivers justice for every community.