Crime rates in the U.S. have been dropping steadily over the past thirty years, but many Americans still feel unsafe. Media reports and political talk often make it seem like crime is on the rise. Now, a new wave of surveillance technology promises to change that, with some claiming it could eliminate crime altogether.

The Rise of Flock Safety and Its Vision

Garrett Langley, CEO of Flock Safety, leads a company valued at around $7.5 billion. Since 2017, Flock has installed over 80,000 cameras across the country. These cameras are advertised as “AI-powered,” capable of identifying and tracking suspects in real time. The company plans to expand further with new surveillance drones set to be deployed to police departments this summer.

Langley believes his company’s technology can dramatically reduce crime, targeting a goal of making the U.S. crime-free by 2035. He is confident that with enough cameras and data, law enforcement can prevent crimes before they happen and catch offenders quickly.

How Flock Safety Is Changing Surveillance

What sets Flock apart from other surveillance firms is its growing network of partnerships with major corporations. Companies like FedEx and Lowe’s share their own security footage with police, creating a more connected system. This helps law enforcement access footage from various sources in real time, making investigations faster and more efficient.

Flock has established relationships with over 5,000 law enforcement agencies and 1,000 private businesses. This widespread network means that surveillance data is becoming more centralized, which can be useful for solving crimes. The technology is also being marketed to homeowners associations and small towns, suggesting that everyday Americans could benefit from these systems.

Concerns Over Privacy and Equity

While supporters argue that centralized surveillance has helped reduce crime—citing examples from other countries—critics raise serious concerns. They warn that mass surveillance often targets minorities and immigrants, groups that are already overrepresented in the prison system. Critics fear that expanding surveillance could lead to increased profiling and loss of privacy for everyday people.

Garrett Langley has dismissed these worries, emphasizing that his company’s focus is law enforcement. However, because the technology is designed for police use, critics argue that it mainly benefits those in power. They worry it could deepen existing inequalities and erode personal freedoms in the name of safety.

The Future of Crime Prevention and Surveillance

As Langley pushes for a future where surveillance technology aims to eliminate crime, many questions remain. Is it even possible to fully eradicate crime with these tools? And at what cost to personal privacy and civil liberties?

Technology and data are becoming more intertwined in society, and Flock Safety is at the forefront of this shift. While the promise of a safer America is appealing, many wonder if the price is too high. Will increased surveillance truly deliver a crime-free society, or will it come at the expense of individual rights and freedoms? Only time will tell if this vision becomes a reality or a cautionary tale.

Inspired by

• https://futurism.com/startup-crime-spy-cameras

Sources

• ojp.gov
• poynter.org
• nytimes.com
• pewresearch.org
• forbes.com