Setting the Record Straight: Understanding Irmo's Flock Safety Cameras

Irmo, SC 07/15/2026 - Recently, the Town of Irmo and the Irmo Police Department announced the expansion of the Flock Safety camera system from 11 to 33 strategically placed locations throughout the town. Since that announcement, we’ve seen some questions and, unfortunately, some misinformation circulating online.

We want to make sure our community has the facts.

Here is What These Cameras Actually Do:



• Capture vehicle characteristics: They capture an image of the rear of a vehicle and read the license plate.

• Protect identity: They do not use facial recognition technology, nor are they designed to identify drivers or passengers.

• Strategic placement: They are placed primarily at major entry and exit points to help identify vehicles connected to crimes.

• Focused on safety, not surveillance: These cameras are not monitored to follow law-abiding citizens as they go about their daily lives. They are strictly investigative tools that help law enforcement quickly identify vehicles associated with crimes such as:

• Stolen vehicles

• Missing persons and kidnappings

• Violent offenses

• Burglaries and other serious investigations

Our existing camera network has already contributed to numerous successful investigations, helped recover stolen vehicles, identified suspects, and provided valuable leads that otherwise may never have existed. Expanding the system allows us to better protect our community by covering additional access points.

A Message from Irmo Police Chief Bobby Dale:

"If a child is abducted, a violent criminal flees our town, or a family is desperately waiting for answers after a loved one goes missing, I never want to look them in the eye and say, 'We could have used technology that might have helped, but we chose not to.’

As Chief, I have a responsibility to use every lawful and responsible tool available to protect this community. That's exactly what these cameras are: a tool to help us solve crimes, find victims, and hold criminals accountable. When someone calls 911 because their child has been taken, their car has been stolen, or a dangerous suspect has fled through our town, they're not asking whether we used less technology. They're asking whether we did everything we reasonably could to help. My answer will always be yes. Our mission has never been to track the daily lives of honest citizens. Our mission is, and always will be, to protect this community and the people who call it home."

MYTH vs. FACT

MYTH: "The Town is tracking everyone's movements."

FACT: The cameras are investigative tools placed at key entry and exit points. They are used to identify vehicles connected to criminal investigations. The flock cameras do not monitor daily activities.

MYTH: "These are facial recognition cameras."

FACT: They do not use facial recognition technology. They are designed to read license plates and document vehicle characteristics.

MYTH: "This is government surveillance."

FACT: The purpose is purely public safety, which includes recovering stolen vehicles, locating missing persons, identifying suspects, and providing investigators with leads.

We understand that anytime new technology is introduced, questions about privacy are completely appropriate. We welcome those questions. Transparency is vital, and our citizens deserve accurate information, not rumors.



If you have any further questions, we encourage you to contact the Irmo Police Department at 803-781-8088.