Chief Burns addresses Flock cameras

Last updated: August 26, 2026

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Vicksburg Police Chief Larry Burns addressed Flock cameras and public concerns at the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting held Tuesday, Aug. 25

“I just wanted to talk about some of the things coming out in the news with all the articles about Flock cameras and misappropriation by officers. It seems to be getting a lot of steam here lately. I absolutely support this Board, I think you should continue to support this Board because they are absolutely, 100 percent all about public safety and making sure every citizen in the City of Vicksburg and those who frequent our city stay safe at all times,” said Chief Burns.

To begin the clarifications, Chief Burns explained the department has implemented a number of internal controls governing the use of its Flock license plate reader system to ensure the technology is used appropriately and for legitimate law enforcement purposes.

“Not every officer will have access to the system,” stressed Chief Burns.

Access to the system is role-based and limited according to an employee’s position and responsibilities.

Ward 2 Alderman TJ Mayfield asked Chief Burns who would have access to search the systems, and Chief Burns explained it was less than five individuals.

Not all employees are authorized to conduct searches. Search capabilities are restricted to authorized supervisory personnel, and users must provide a valid case or incident number and a reason for conducting a search.

Without the proper case or incident numbers, the search cannot be conducted.

Chief Burns said personnel with access to the system will also receive training regarding its proper and authorized use.

As a further precaution, Chief Burns said the department conducts monthly internal audits of system activity, allowing administrators to review who conducted searches, what license plates were searched, the number of searches conducted, and the reasons provided.

According to Chief Burns, these reviews are intended to identify unusual or questionable activity and provide an additional level of accountability.

Data collected through the system is retained for 30 days. The data is completely deleted from the system after that time period.

“And they [Flock] are considering moving that to only seven days, which will be an issue for us because some investigations are not finished in that time frame,” said Chief Burns. “Will have to figure that out if it comes to it.”

The cameras are not traditional surveillance cameras and do not continuously record video.

“The cameras only take single still frame images,” he explained.

The Chief also said the cameras do not have the capability to see inside a vehicle to determine such factors such as how many people are inside the vehicle.

“I wish they did! Do you know how much that would increase the safety of officers? For them to walk up to a dark tinted windowed SUV and know how many people are inside? But this isn’t the movies, and Vicksburg does not have that capability,” said the chief.

VPD also utilizes “hot lists” to alert officers to vehicles associated with criminal activity or other legitimate law enforcement concerns. The lists are predetermined by officers and specific license plates are entered into the system after the vehicle has been identified as being part of a crime.

“The cameras are strategically placed around the city and near identified high crime areas,” said Chief Burns. “We want to know when these vehicles are coming into the city, leaving the city or near these high crime areas.”

Chief Burns stressed this technology enhances public safety by allowing quicker response times and more effective monitoring of high crime areas. VPD’s use of Flock is intended to support criminal investigations and public safety while maintaining safeguards designed to prevent misuse.

According to the Chief the purpose of the cameras is to help increase public safety and not infringe on the privacy of Vicksburg’s law abiding residents.

“We use these cameras to uphold the law, otherwise we are no better than the criminals who break the law,” said Chief Burns.