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What Flock Actually Costs Cities Across the Country

Wired reviewed contracts from more than two dozen US cities and towns to compare Flock's pricing and business model with its rivals; the bill lands on local budgets.

On air: Gloria Vance and Dr. Nina Byte on Wake Up, America
Published 5:22 AM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: KneeHallHawk · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · Your Money

Watch it as it aired: Gloria Vance and Dr. Nina Byte on this story, from Wake Up, America at 5:22 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Wired's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: KneeHallHawk · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Flock Safety — Photo: KneeHallHawk · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by Wired: “What Flock Actually Costs Cities Across the Country”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 5:22 AM ET on Wake Up, America, by Gloria Vance and Dr. Nina Byte.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

WiredWhat Flock Actually Costs Cities Across the Country

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWired went through contracts from more than two dozen cities and towns to learn what Flock's license plate cameras cost, and how that pricing stacks up against its competitors.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSo the city pays a subscription to be watched. I have a subscription to a meditation app, and it has never once photographed my truck.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe point of the reporting is how the business model works, because these are local budgets, your property taxes, and your privacy all in one contract.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentYour taxes. So I am paying the monthly fee on the camera that watches me.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWired says the contracts shed light on how it all functions, and I have read many contracts in my day.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorMost of them have a cancellation clause.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentMost of them?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorI am not saying which ones. I am saying read yours before the council signs it.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentFine. I will rate it like a gadget.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentGreat cameras, terrible terms, zero ability to unsubscribe, and the only free trial is the part where it already watched you. Two out of ten.

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