The AI Startup That Thinks It Can End Crime In America

Flock Safety: Eradicating Crime with AI and Facing the Challenges

Key Concepts:

• License Plate Recognition (LPR) Technology: AI-powered system to identify vehicles based on license plates and other characteristics.
• Free Form: AI tool allowing users to search for vehicles using natural language descriptions.
• Rapid Response: Utilizing drones and software to accelerate law enforcement response times.
• Data Custodianship: Responsibilities and legal obligations associated with managing LPR data.
• Interoperability: The ability of different systems and software to exchange and use information.
• Community Investment: Using company funds to create jobs and support local businesses.
• Transparency and Auditing: Mechanisms for monitoring and verifying the use of surveillance technology.

Origin and Mission

Flock Safety, founded in 2017 by Georgia Tech graduate and CEO Garrett Langley, aims to eradicate crime in America using technology. The company's origin stems from Langley's personal experience with organized crime in his Atlanta neighborhood, where he realized the limitations of existing evidence like doorbell camera footage. He discovered that a license plate was often the key to solving property crimes. Flock's mission is based on the belief that crime is a societal choice and can be eliminated through technology, people, and policy.

Product Suite

Flock offers a comprehensive suite of products divided into three main categories:

1. Evidence Detection: Devices that capture evidence, including:
   • Cameras focused on cars (LPR technology).
   • Cameras focused on people.
   • Gunshot detection systems.
2. AI Decoding: AI-powered tools to analyze and interpret the collected data, such as:
   • Free Form: Allows users to search for vehicles using natural language descriptions (e.g., "Ford F-150 from the 1990s with a racing stripe and rust on the front").
3. Rapid Response: Hardware and software designed to accelerate law enforcement response:
   • Drones that can be deployed to a scene within 30-45 seconds of a 911 call.
   • Software products to facilitate rapid response.

The Future of Crime Reduction

Langley believes crime reduction is a two-step process:

1. Solving Crime: Increasing the likelihood of criminals being caught. Studies show that the perception of being caught is a greater deterrent than the severity of punishment. In areas like Cop County, Smyrna, Georgia, where the likelihood of getting caught for nonviolent crimes is high, crime rates are declining.
2. Crime Reduction: As crime rates decrease, communities become safer and more thriving.

Langley estimates that significant crime reduction can be achieved within 5-7 years.

Community Investment Fund

Flock has launched an investment fund to create jobs and support local businesses, aiming to provide alternative paths for young people and reduce crime before it occurs. The fund invests in traditional brick-and-mortar businesses in the Atlanta area to provide employment opportunities for teenagers and young adults.

Challenges and Criticisms

Flock faces several challenges and criticisms:

• Privacy Concerns: Critics argue that Flock's surveillance technology creates an Orwellian panopticon that could be used to target vulnerable populations.
• Corporate Disputes: A dispute with Axon, a law enforcement technology company, arose over data interoperability and API access. Axon CEO Rick Smith accused Flock of restricting API access and charging customers more for interoperability. Langley refuted these claims, stating that Flock has never charged Axon's customers for API access and that Axon is threatened by Flock's potential to break its monopoly.
• Citizen Activism: Organizations like DFLock actively oppose Flock's expansion, employing tactics that Langley characterizes as "terroristic."
• Local Government Resistance: Some local government officials have attempted to block the deployment of Flock cameras, often due to concerns about privacy and lack of education about the technology's capabilities and controls.
• ICE Access: Concerns exist about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) accessing Flock data through local police agencies. Langley states that Flock does not control or influence local governments' decisions to work with federal agencies.
• Abortion Investigations: Concerns have been raised about the potential use of Flock technology to investigate individuals seeking abortions. Langley emphasizes that Flock does not write the laws and that the company's technology is just one of many tools that could potentially be used for such purposes.

Data Custodianship and Transparency

Flock emphasizes its role as a data custodian and its commitment to transparency. Every search conducted within the Flock system requires a documented reason, which is stored permanently. The company is developing additional tools to provide administrators with greater control and transparency over the system's use.

Compliance Issues

Flock has faced compliance issues related to permitting and licensing. The company acknowledges that as a disruptive technology company, it is often ahead of legislation and may interpret laws differently. When informed of non-compliance, Flock takes steps to rectify the situation. All known moratoriums have been resolved.

Drone Manufacturing

Flock is expanding into drone manufacturing, leveraging its expertise in camera technology and connectivity. The company aims to provide a comprehensive drone-as-a-first-responder product that integrates with existing 911 systems, LPR systems, and real-time crime centers. While acknowledging that it will take time to catch up to DJI in terms of physical drone capabilities, Flock believes its integrated product offers superior value.

Future Technologies and Expansion

Flock plans to expand its technology beyond law enforcement to address other city challenges, such as pothole detection and traffic reduction. The company aims to become a broader provider of solutions for creating safer and more thriving communities.

Financial Goals and Company Culture

Langley aims to build Flock into a $100 billion company by materially changing people's lives. He emphasizes the importance of creating value for shareholders, employees, and the community. Every employee at Flock has equity in the business, fostering a culture of shared ownership and success. While an IPO is not planned in the immediate future, Langley is open to the possibility in the future.

Conclusion

Flock Safety is aggressively pursuing its mission to eradicate crime through AI-powered surveillance technology. While experiencing rapid growth and achieving significant success in crime reduction, the company faces substantial challenges related to privacy concerns, corporate disputes, and regulatory compliance. Flock's commitment to transparency, community investment, and technological innovation will be crucial in navigating these challenges and achieving its ambitious goals.