Flock cameras, AI and drones. Technology transforming police work in Idaho

Caldwell Police Sgt. Andrew Heitzman responded to a 911 call reporting gunfire on Freeport Street in October, with witnesses describing a man armed with two guns fleeing the scene. Within minutes, Raven, an AI tool used by the department, pinpointed the gunshots, triggering Flock cameras—a network of AI-enabled surveillance systems—to scan for the suspect’s vehicle based on witness descriptions. The Flock system identified the car within 15 minutes, leading officers to a chase that ended with the suspect crashing and being arrested in a parking lot on Ustick Road. Heitzman stated that without AI assistance, the situation could have escalated dangerously, highlighting the technology’s role in rapid suspect apprehension. Flock Safety, a Georgia-based company, provides the hardware and AI behind the system, combining automated license plate readers, video cameras, and audio detection to aid law enforcement. Similar systems are used by police departments across Idaho, including Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Twin Falls, and Jerome County, as well as thousands of agencies nationwide. By 2025, nearly 18,000 U.S. law enforcement agencies were using AI tools, with Flock adopted by about 28% of them. However, the technology has drawn criticism from privacy advocates. Rebecca De Léon, communications director for the ACLU of Idaho, warned that Flock cameras exceed their original justification and risk eroding individual rights, including privacy and due process, under the guise of public safety. The rapid expansion of AI in policing raises concerns about potential abuse and the broader implications for civil liberties.