Flock CEO speaks out as Fresno Police stands by tech

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- We're hearing from the CEO of Flock Safety as communities in the Valley and across the state raise questions about the company's cameras.

On Monday in central Fresno, residents passionately voiced privacy concerns at a community forum discussion held by Fresno Police.

The department says it uses around 70 cameras and stands by the technology.

Flock Safety views itself as a public protection technology company, using license plate reading cameras to help law enforcement investigate crimes and locate missing people.

Meanwhile, critics see it as a growing surveillance network and are concerned about how data is collected and shared.

The Los Angeles Police Department suspended its use of Flock due to concerns over data, privacy, security and distribution.

The company's CEO, while speaking to our sister station KABC, believes they should listen to critics but says many conversations have led to a deeper understanding of what the company is doing with its cameras.

"Once they understand what the technology actually does, not what it might do in 50 years, not what someone thinks it could do, but what it actually does day in and day out... it takes a picture of a car," Flock founder and CEO Garrett Langley said. Most people go, this makes a lot of sense. I want my kids to be safe."

Langley believes the LAPD cancellation will only be temporary.

Here in Fresno, the Fresno Police Department says they conduct monthly audits of camera usage.

Police Chief Mindy Casto says the department is currently exploring if audits can be made public to provide greater transparency.