The Indicator from Planet Money · Tuesday, September 15, 2026
A case in Florida highlighted the potential for error with Flock camera technology. Police were searching for a black SUV involved in a hit-and-run, and a woman driving a similar vehicle was wrongly identified and spent 13 days in jail, even though her car was not involved. This illustrates how automated policing systems can be prone to mistakes.
“This woman was actually driving a similar looking car near the crime.”
“She spent 13 days in jail. Her car was not involved in this. It was a totally different vehicle.”
“Automated policing can lead to important arrests, and Scott's research shows that implementing Flock cameras are associated with fewer vehicle thefts. But the systems are still prone to mistakes and misuse.”