October 7th, 2026 Local News
Park Hills, Mo. (KFMO) - A U.S. Senate hearing Wednesday examined the growing use of Flock Safety cameras and other automated license plate reader technology, with lawmakers questioning how the systems are used, who can access the information and where the data is stored.
The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism held the hearing, titled “Always Watching: Flock’s Nationwide AI Surveillance Network.”
Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley outlined some of the questions lawmakers are seeking to have answered as part of the investigation into the use of Flock cameras and other artificial-intelligence-powered surveillance technology.
The hearing comes shortly after Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 26-18 on September 16. The order establishes statewide safeguards for automated license plate readers, including Flock Safety cameras, for state agencies and state-funded local law enforcement agencies.
Under the order, most license plate and vehicle data must be permanently deleted within 30 days. The order also prohibits vendors from selling, sharing or commercializing Missouri-generated data and limits the use of the technology to legitimate criminal justice and lifesaving purposes.
The order also prohibits integrating artificial intelligence facial recognition technology with automated license plate reader systems. Agencies that misuse the technology can face disciplinary proceedings and, when appropriate, criminal referrals.
Kehoe's order says automated license plate readers can assist law enforcement with criminal investigations, recovering stolen vehicles and locating missing or endangered people, while establishing limits intended to protect the privacy of Missourians.
Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshack says his department supports the governor's order.
The Senate hearing also highlighted concerns about what can happen when license plate reader information becomes a significant part of a criminal investigation.
One case discussed involved 23-year-old Lindsey Isaacs of Florida. Investigators initially used Flock camera information to identify Isaacs' black Dodge Durango in connection with a deadly crash on Interstate 4 in October 2025.
Isaacs was arrested in April 2026 and charged with eight felonies. She spent 13 days in jail before prosecutors dropped the charges. Investigators later arrested another woman in connection with the crash.
An investigation reported by InvestigateTV found that Isaacs' vehicle had been captured by a Flock camera near the crash area, but subsequent evidence indicated her vehicle was not the one involved in the fatal collision. The vehicle involved was described as a maroon Dodge Durango, while Isaacs' vehicle was black.
The case has become part of the broader debate over how automated license plate reader information should be used in criminal investigations and what safeguards should be in place to prevent misuse or mistaken identification.
The Senate investigation and Missouri's new executive order both come as law enforcement agencies continue to use automated license plate readers while lawmakers and officials examine privacy, data retention and access policies.