Lassen County Sheriff issued the following press release;
We are aware of the concerns some members of our community have raised regarding the implementation of Flock Safety cameras in Lassen County.
The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office currently operates 13 Flock cameras placed throughout the county. These were implemented as part of our continued commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of all our residents.
Why We Use Flock Cameras
These cameras are proactive investigative tools used to combat a range of serious criminal activities, including:
- Human trafficking
- Missing persons cases
- Stolen vehicles and property crimes
- Drug and weapons trafficking
- Other felonious offenses
What Flock Cameras Are Not Used For
We want to be clear:
These cameras are not used for traffic enforcement purposes—such as speeding, expired registration, mechanical violations, or minor infractions. These cameras do not take photographs of occupants and do not have facial recognition capability.
Their sole purpose is to provide actionable leads to law enforcement in the event of a crime.
How They Work
Flock cameras capture license plate data and vehicle characteristics, allowing law enforcement to:
- Identify suspect vehicles
- Track vehicle movement relevant to ongoing investigations
- Respond quickly to alerts related to Amber Alerts, stolen vehicles, and known threats
All data is securely stored and accessible only to authorized law enforcement personnel, and only for investigative use.
Constitutional and Legal Compliance
We understand and respect constitutional protections.
The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office is fully committed to ensuring that all investigative practices comply with the law, including the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unlawful searches and seizures.
Our legal advisors and partner agencies have reviewed and affirmed the lawful use of this technology in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
A Proven Tool Across California
Flock Safety technology is already being used successfully in cities and counties across California — from large metropolitan areas to rural communities like ours — and it has provided critical leads in cases that may have otherwise gone unsolved.
A Natural Extension of Community Safety Practices
Surveillance cameras are already widely used throughout our community — on private businesses, homes, and public spaces. Flock cameras are a natural extension of these legally accepted safety measures.
Not Surveillance — Just Smart Policing
This is not a step toward unnecessary surveillance.
It is one of many tools that assist deputies in:
- Solving crimes
- Rescuing vulnerable individuals
- Keeping Lassen County safe
Our Commitment
At the end of the day, our top priority is — and always will be — to protect the citizens of Lassen County. Flock cameras are simply another tool that helps us do that more effectively and efficiently.
If you have any questions or would like more information about how these cameras work, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We value your trust and remain committed to serving this community with transparency, integrity, and accountability.
John McGarva, Sheriff-Coroner
Lassen County Sheriff’s Office
