Rome's License Plate Reader Cameras Are City-Run, Not Flock: 12 Readers, 90-Day Data Limit

Rome's automated license plate readers belong to the city and are run by the Rome Police Department, not a private company like Flock, Mayor Jeffrey M. Lanigan and Police Chief Kevin James told the Daily Sentinel in a story published Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026.

What Rome has:

Fixed plate readers	12, at roads into and out of the city, each aimed one way
Patrol cars with readers	2 (on the light bars)
Fixed pole cameras	About 17, aimed at public spaces
Data kept	90 days, then auto-deleted unless tied to an investigation
Cost	About $58,900 in 2022 ($44,000 from grants); $70,470 in 2024, all grant money

The vendor, Rekor, installs and repairs the equipment but doesn't watch the feeds, the mayor said. Every search needs a case number, outside agencies have to ask in writing, and audits are handled by two department supervisors. The chief said there's been no misuse.

The only Flock units in Rome are two on private property at the Lowe's on Erie Boulevard West, according to deflock.org figures cited in the story.