Flock Safety Cameras
The Thornton Police Department uses Flock Safety cameras as an investigative tool to help solve crimes and improve community safety. These stationary cameras capture images of license plates and limited vehicle characteristics—such as make, color, and visible features—to assist investigators in identifying vehicles connected to criminal activity.
Why we use Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras:
ALPR cameras capture images of license plates along with basic vehicle characteristics, including color, make, and visible identifying features such as stickers, racks, or toolboxes, to assist with criminal investigations.
To capture license plates and key vehicle characteristics that support investigations.
Vehicle characteristics can remain useful even when license plates are removed, changed, or obscured, allowing investigators to continue identifying vehicles connected to criminal activity.
Because suspects may remove or alter license plates.
ALPR technology allows investigators to search for vehicles based on available information, which can help solve crimes and recover stolen vehicles.
To help solve crimes and recover stolen vehicles without increasing risk.
To receive real-time alerts tied to serious investigations.
The system can provide real-time alerts when vehicles associated with stolen property, active warrants, or missing persons cases (such as Amber Alerts) enter the city, supporting timely law enforcement response.
Flock cameras are placed in fixed locations throughout the city. They capture still images of passing vehicles, including:
License plate number
Vehicle make and color
Distinguishing details (e.g., bumper stickers, roof racks, damage, unique modifications)
Images are transmitted securely via encrypted cellular connection and stored in a secure Flock Safety cloud environment. The cameras do not capture:
People/faces
Gender
Race/ethnicity
Additionally, officers cannot search Flock data for the above criteria that the cameras do not capture.
How ALPR cameras work:
To maintain trust and provide visibility into how ALPR technology is used in Thornton, the department has a public Flock Transparency Portal. The portal includes:
The number of cameras in use
Organizations that can access Thornton Flock data
Data on system searches
Statistics on the volume of vehicles photographed
Policy information
The Flock Transparency Portal will be automatically updated on a daily basis.
The Thornton Police Department is committed to protecting individual privacy and ensuring all technology is used lawfully and responsibly.
Transparency and Accountability:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Flock ALPRs capture still images of passing vehicles including:
License plate number
Vehicle make and color
Unique features (stickers, damage, cargo racks, etc.)
The date, time, and location of the image
They do not capture the identity of occupants.
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ALPR data supports:
Criminal investigations
Locating missing or endangered persons
Real-time alerts for vehicles involved in crime (e.g. National Crime Information Center, Colorado Crime Information Center, Colorado Bureau of Investigation alerts, etc.)
Locating stolen vehicles (stolen vehicles are frequently used to commit other crimes)
Safety and crime-prevention efforts
Data cannot be used for the following purposes:
Federal immigration enforcement
Enforcement of abortion laws in another state
Any other non-law enforcement purpose
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All data is automatically deleted after 30 days, unless it is specifically retained as evidence in an ongoing criminal investigation. This short retention period balances public safety needs with necessary privacy protections.
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All ALPR data is owned by the Thornton Police Department. Flock Safety stores the data securely on behalf of the department, but never sells or shares data with third parties.
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Access is strictly limited to authorized Thornton Police Department personnel who have completed required training. All searches are logged and subject to supervisory review.
The Thornton Police Department allows access to other state and local law enforcement connected to the Flock network. In return, the Thornton Police Department has reciprocal access to outside agency data. Outside agency use is monitored by Thornton Police Department staff to ensure compliance with Colorado law, and verify use is for law enforcement purposes.
Thornton Police Department does not provide access to any federal law enforcement agencies.
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The Thornton Police Department has multiple layers of oversight:
Mandatory training for all users
Routine audits of system access and searches
Automatic data deletion after 30 days, if not germane to an investigation
Strict policy compliance required for all personnel
Any allegation of misuse of Thornton Police Department data, including Flock data, is subject to investigation and discipline if sustained.
Recent Thornton Success Stories
Flock ALPR cameras have helped Thornton Police Department investigators quickly identify vehicles involved in criminal activity, recover stolen vehicles, and locate missing persons.
Armed Robbery and Sexual Assault Investigation Supported by ALPR (April 2024)
Officers investigated a robbery in which a suspect threatened employees with a knife. During the incident, the suspect also committed a sexual assault before fleeing the area and later robbing another business. Surveillance video showed the suspect’s vehicle with distinctive paint damage but no visible license plate. Using ALPR technology, detectives identified a vehicle with matching characteristics, leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect.
Hit-and-Run Homicide Supported by ALPR (July 2024)
Officers investigated a hit-and-run homicide and had only a basic description of the suspect’s vehicle. Detectives used a Flock ALPR camera to locate the vehicle and determine the associated license plate. Although the plate was registered to another vehicle, investigators were able to trace it to the correct residence. This crucial information led to the suspect being taken into custody approximately eight hours after the incident.
Fleeing Suspect Apprehended with ALPR (September 2025)
A suspect awaiting trial on charges of kidnapping and sexual assault of a child removed his ankle monitor and attempted to flee the metro area. Detectives identified the vehicle and entered the license plate into a Flock custom hot list. The vehicle triggered a Flock camera alert in southern Colorado, allowing law enforcement in that area to locate it within hours. These efforts led to the suspect’s apprehension and prevented him from evading trial.
Prolific Theft Suspect Apprehended with ALPR (October 2024)
A suspect had stolen tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise from stores in the Denver area, including the Denver Premium Outlets. Because the outlets are near the highway, the suspect often fled before officers could arrive. Detectives identified the suspect’s current vehicle and added the license plate to a Flock custom hot list. Several days later, the vehicle triggered a Flock camera alert in Thornton, allowing officers to locate the vehicle and take the suspect into custody.
Missing Person Located with ALPR (October 2024)
An elderly male with dementia went missing from his Thornton residence and drove the family vehicle, which he was not supposed to be operating. Family members had little idea of his whereabouts, and officers were initially unable to locate the vehicle. The vehicle’s license plate was entered into a Flock custom hot list. Within two hours, Flock camera alerts allowed officers to locate the vehicle and ensure the individual’s safety.
Child Exploitation Suspect Apprehended with ALPR (November 2025)
A known suspect wanted on charges of child exploitation had their vehicle identified and the license plate entered into a Flock custom hot list. One day, the vehicle triggered a Flock camera alert in Thornton. Officers responded and located the vehicle in a nearby parking lot. The suspect was contacted and taken into custody.
Grocery Store Robbery Supported by ALPR (April 2024)
A suspect robbed victims of their groceries at knifepoint in a parking lot. While no license plate was visible, the victims were able to provide a description of the suspect’s vehicle. The vehicle later passed a Flock ALPR camera, allowing detectives to identify it. This ultimately led to the suspect’s arrest.
Theft Suspect Apprehended with ALPR (December 2024)
Officers responded to a theft at a local jewelry store where a suspect had taken a valuable chain. They reviewed store surveillance footage and followed up with neighboring businesses to gather additional information. Using ALPR technology, detectives were able to identify the suspect’s vehicle and locate the individual. The suspect was arrested, and the case ultimately resulted in a conviction and restitution.
Felony Menacing Suspect Apprehended with ALPR (March 2025)
Officers investigated a felony menacing incident involving a handgun, and the victim provided a vehicle description and partial license plate. The license plate provided was incorrect, but ALPR technology identified a matching vehicle with a similar plate. The system used hits from cameras in nearby jurisdictions to generate a suspect lead. Within a couple of days, the suspect was formally identified and taken into custody.
Retail Theft Suspect Apprehended (September 2024)
Officers identified a suspect in a retail theft at Denver Premium Outlets and obtained an arrest warrant. When the suspect’s vehicle later passed an ALPR camera, officers received an alert, located the vehicle, and made an arrest.
Commercial Burglary Investigation Supported by ALPR (October 2025)
Officers investigated a commercial burglary where surveillance footage showed two suspects attempting to force entry into a business. While the footage captured the suspect vehicle, no license plate was visible. Using ALPR technology, detectives were able to identify the associated license plate and determine the vehicle had been reported stolen. The vehicle was later located and impounded by another agency, allowing crime scene investigators to process the vehicle and identify a suspect.