If you drive in Columbia, your vehicle may have passed an automated license plate reader.
The Columbia Police Department uses automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology supplied by Flock Safety. These cameras capture license plates and other vehicle information as cars travel on public roads. Police can search that information during certain investigations.
However, the technology is receiving increased scrutiny. In August 2026, a proposed federal class-action lawsuit was filed against Flock Safety alleging that weaknesses in its nationwide system have allowed misuse by current and former law enforcement personnel. The complaint also raised concerns about inaccurate plate reads and their potential consequences for innocent drivers.
Those issues have become particularly relevant in Missouri. On September 16, 2026, an executive order established new safeguards for ALPR technology. Columbia’s City Council has also agreed to hold a public hearing on the city’s Flock system before its contract comes up for renewal.
Here is what Columbia drivers should know:
What Is the Lawsuit Against Flock Safety About?
The lawsuit, Schulte v. Flock Group Inc., was filed on August 25, 2026, in federal court in Georgia. It is currently a proposed class action, meaning the court has not yet certified a class or determined that Flock is liable for the conduct alleged.
The complaint alleges that Flock’s nationwide system makes vehicle-location information available through searchable databases and that inadequate safeguards have allowed some law enforcement personnel to use the system for improper personal purposes.
It also cites reported incidents involving inaccurate license plate reads that allegedly led police to identify the wrong vehicles or motorists. These allegations have not been proven in court.
Are Columbia Drivers Part of the Flock Class Action?
Not automatically.
The lawsuit seeks to represent a proposed nationwide class of people whose license plate information was collected by Flock systems beginning January 1, 2024.
But filing a lawsuit does not create a certified class. The court must first decide whether the case qualifies for class-action treatment.
Having your plate scanned therefore does not currently mean you are part of a certified class or entitled to compensation.
How Does Columbia Use Flock Cameras?
According to the Columbia Police Department, its Flock system collects vehicle-related information rather than using facial recognition to identify drivers.
A scan may include:
- the license plate number
- an image of the vehicle
- certain vehicle characteristics
- the date and time the vehicle was detected
- the location of the camera
Police may use that information to help locate stolen or wanted vehicles and develop leads in criminal investigations. Columbia also has policies governing access to the system. Searches must be tied to a legitimate law enforcement purpose, user activity is logged, and access can be audited.
What Changed Under Missouri’s New ALPR Executive Order?
On September 16, 2026, the newly signed Executive Order 26-18 directed the Missouri Department of Public Safety to establish safeguards for state agencies and certain state-funded local law enforcement entities using ALPR technology.
Among other things, the standards call for:
- most license plate and vehicle data to be deleted within 30 days
- prohibiting vendors from selling, sharing, or commercializing Missouri-generated ALPR data
- limiting ALPR use to legitimate criminal-justice and lifesaving purposes
- accountability measures for misuse
- prohibiting the integration of AI facial-recognition technology with ALPR systems
The order also encourages local agencies to follow those safeguards where possible under existing contracts and law.
Its precise effect on individual local systems may therefore depend on how the order is implemented and whether Missouri lawmakers later adopt additional legislation.
Columbia Is Also Reviewing Its Flock Program
Columbia’s Flock system is receiving additional local scrutiny.
In September 2026, the Columbia City Council agreed to hold a public hearing on the city’s use of Flock cameras before the contract comes up for renewal. The hearing is intended to give residents and council members an opportunity to discuss the system’s law enforcement uses, privacy concerns, and possible safeguards.
The city has not decided whether to renew, change, or discontinue the program. As of this writing, a date for the hearing had not been announced.
Are Flock Cameras Legal Under the Fourth Amendment?
Using a Flock camera is not automatically a Fourth Amendment violation. The constitutional question can depend on how police use the data and the circumstances of a particular case.
License plates are publicly displayed, and courts have generally recognized a reduced expectation of privacy in information visible while traveling on public roads.
In March 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held in United States v. Porter that the particular use of ALPR data in that case did not constitute a Fourth Amendment search. The court also upheld a traffic stop involving an ALPR alert under the facts before it.
That ruling does not establish a universal rule for every ALPR system or police investigation, and the Fifth Circuit does not govern Missouri. Porter has also asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case.
Large databases that allow police to reconstruct a vehicle’s movements over time may continue to raise legal questions as ALPR networks expand.
Can Police Stop You Based on a Flock Alert?
A Flock alert can contribute to the reasonable suspicion needed for a traffic stop, depending on the circumstances. For example, an alert might indicate that a vehicle has been reported stolen or is associated with an outstanding warrant.
But ALPR systems can make mistakes. If an alert identifies the wrong plate or vehicle, questions may arise about what the officer knew, whether the information was verified, and what other facts supported the stop.
If a stop leads to criminal charges, an attorney may examine:
- how the alert was generated
- what information the officer received
- whether the vehicle or plate was verified
- whether any subsequent search or seizure was lawful
What Should You Do If a Flock Alert Leads to a Traffic Stop?
If police stop you following an ALPR alert, avoid trying to resolve a dispute about the technology on the roadside. If you are stopped:
- remain calm and comply with lawful safety instructions
- avoid arguing about whether the alert is accurate
- document the time, location, agency, and officer information when it is safe
- speak with an attorney if the stop results in a search, arrest, criminal charge, or seizure of evidence
Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer’s Columbia traffic violation lawyers handle traffic-related matters in Missouri, while the firm’s criminal defense attorneys represent clients facing more serious charges arising from vehicle stops and police investigations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flock Cameras in Columbia, MO
Does a Flock camera identify the driver?
Not necessarily. Columbia Police Department describes its system as vehicle-based technology rather than facial-recognition technology.
How long does Columbia keep Flock camera data?
CPD’s 2025 surveillance report states that Flock data is generally deleted after 30 days unless it is retained in accordance with policy or legal requirements.
Can Columbia share Flock information with other police departments?
Yes. CPD’s surveillance report states that its Flock data sharing is limited to other law enforcement agencies within Missouri.
Can evidence from a Flock-related traffic stop be suppressed?
Possibly. The fact that an ALPR was involved does not automatically make evidence inadmissible. Suppression depends on whether the stop or search violated constitutional requirements under the specific facts of the case.
Questions About a Traffic Stop or Search in Missouri?
For someone facing charges, the key issue is often not simply whether a Flock camera was involved. It is how police used the information, what they knew before the stop, and whether any resulting search or seizure complied with the Constitution.
The attorneys at Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer represent clients in Columbia and throughout Mid-Missouri. An attorney can review how a stop began, what information police relied upon, and whether evidence was obtained lawfully.
Call (573) 520-3127 or contact us today for a completely confidential case evaluation.
Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship with Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer. Individual results vary.