Exclusive: Chicago paying for access to Flock data

CHICAGO - Chicago police officers conducted thousands of searches through the Flock Safety camera network this year, even though Chicago does not have an active contract with the company.

CPD uses Flock

What we know:

According to a new statement from the Office of Public Safety Administration (OPSA), the city of Chicago has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Flock, which allows CPD officers to log in to Flock Safety’s portal and gain access to data being shared by surrounding communities.

OPSA says it signed that agreement with the Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) on the city’s behalf.

At first, OPSA says getting that access was free of charge, but it says Flock later started charging. OPSA says it now pays to access Flock data through a service contract with CDW-G, which it says will "allow the City to buy technology products and services from multiple companies."

Essentially, the city is paying CDW-G, a tech reseller and middleman for government agencies, to continue gaining access to Flock’s data.

What we don't know:

The details of that MOU are unclear, including how much the city is paying, where that money is coming from and when the city started paying for access to Flock’s data.

OPSA, however, is an agency that is primarily funded by taxpayers.

What they're saying:

FOX Chicago also spoke with a high-ranking source inside CPD, who says only higher-ranking officials, like investigators, have access to Flock.

According to the source, there is also a designated "tech team" made up entirely of civilians, that is responsible for tracking regional Flock data.

When we asked the source how many times Flock searches have been used for arrests, we did not get a clear answer. Audit logs obtained after months of requests show CPD officers ran more than 23,000 searches through Flock from May through July 2026.

The searches were connected to a range of reasons, including traffic stops, robberies, welfare checks and homicides.

Flock cameras that currently exist in Chicago are all privately owned, since the city itself does not have an active contract with Flock. For example, University of Illinois Chicago is a private Flock camera owner.

According to Flock, when a camera is installed for a private customer, that owner has the choice to decide whether they want to turn data sharing on. If they decide to turn it on, that data gets shared to Flock’s portal. If not, Flock claims that data will not be shared.

Not having a city contract also means there are minimal local rules or oversight requirements in place governing how Chicago officers search, access, or retain that data.

According to the CPD source, higher-ranking officials will use Flock as another tool to solve crimes, in addition to using existing ALPR cameras in the city. It’s estimated over a thousand ALPR’s currently exist within the city limits.

The other side:

A spokesperson with the Chicago Mayor's Office provided the following statement to Fox 32:

"OPSA obtained access to the Flock database following the conclusion of a process which began in 2021 and concluded with the signing of an MOU in January 2023. OPSA used their discretionary budget to pay for access, beginning in 2024. This did not require or involve the approval of OBM or the Mayor's Office as OPSA has contracting authority."

"The Mayor’s Office recognizes the serious concerns raised by this arrangement and is engaged in urgent discussions to identify and implement measures to mitigate any potential harm to Chicago residents and protect their privacy and safety."

We reached out to CPD and Flock for comment. CPD directed us to OPSA, which the department said is responsible for public safety technology. Flock has not responded.

OPSA later responded via email to various questions we asked.

Can you explain how CPD accesses Flock Safety data without a direct contract with Flock?

The City of Chicago has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Flock Safety that allows CPD officers to log in to Flock’s system and view camera information shared with Chicago by other municipalities and private entities. OEMC and OPSA signed the agreement on the City’s behalf, consistent with the City ordinance governing camera MOUs.

Access was initially free, but Flock later began charging a fee for these accounts. OPSA now purchases access to view Flock data through a service contract with CDW-G, that enables the City to purchase technology products and services from multiple companies. In practical terms, the City pays CDW-G for access to Flock’s system.

Beyond the original MOU and statements of work covering the City’s continued access and the integration of Flock alerts, CPD has no other contractual arrangement with Flock Safety, does not own or lease Flock cameras, and does not give Flock Safety access to view/search any City of Chicago camera footage or data.

What is the difference between a "search" and a "look up"?

Our understanding is that these terms refer to the same activity: querying information in the Flock Safety system.

Does CPD access Flock Safety data through another agency’s system, a regional network, or a shared platform?

CPD accesses the system directly through Flock Safety’s portal. That access includes camera data made available by other municipalities and participating groups. Chicago does not provide Flock Safety with access to city of Chicago cameras.

Who within CPD authorizes and oversees that access?

Questions about CPD’s internal authorization and oversight of personnel access should be directed to CPD.

How many uses of the Flock Safety system have resulted in an arrest?

Questions about arrests resulting from use of the system should be directed to CPD.

Is there any additional clarification you would like to provide?

Chicago’s access allows CPD to search information available through the Flock Safety system. That access does not provide Flock Safety with access to city of Chicago cameras or data.

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