Flock Safety, the company whose license plate readers line streets from San Jose to Richmond, is shrinking. About 18% of its employees, roughly 270 of around 1,500, are expected to leave at the end of October, Reuters reported Thursday, citing people with direct knowledge of the plans.
The departures follow a voluntary buyout program Flock offered staff in September, which Wired first reported. Reuters' sources tied the cuts to growing opposition to Flock's cameras from communities and lawmakers.
Flock's side
The Atlanta-based company disputes the layoff framing. "This was a voluntary program, not a layoff," spokesperson Paris Lewbel told TechCrunch, saying it was meant to position the company "for its next phase of growth." The Verge noted the cuts come as more states and local communities ban Flock's readers.
The shrinking headcount is a sharp turn for a startup that raised $275 million in March at a reported $7.5 billion valuation, money meant in part for a U.S. factory and a push into drones.
Why it matters here
The Bay Area is one of the places where that fight is playing out:
- San Francisco recently put new limits on how police use its 400-plus Flock cameras, which critics said didn't go far enough.
- San Jose won a court ruling this month that warrantless police searches of its roughly 500-camera Flock network don't violate the state constitution.
- Richmond plans to end its Flock contract Dec. 31 and is weighing a switch to Axon readers.
- Vallejo police recently briefed an oversight panel on how they use Flock cameras as the city reviews its contracts.
None of the reports say how the staff cuts will affect existing city contracts or customer support, and Flock has not announced any changes to service. Cities still deciding whether to renew, expand or replace their systems will be watching.