Binghamton University Unplugging Flock Safety Cameras

Some Flock Safety license plate readers in Vestal, Johnson City and Binghamton will be replaced with new cameras provided by another company.

Binghamton University is planning to start using Axon Outpost automated license plate readers on-campus and off-campus in Broome County.

Flock Safety cameras have generated controversy in many communities across the United States because of reports of police accessing information for non-law enforcement purposes.

An Axon Outpost plate reader near a Binghamton University facility in Johnson City on October 21, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Opponents of the Flock network of plate readers also have expressed privacy concerns and the use of the company's database by other agencies without local approval.

A Binghamton University spokesperson did not answer specific questions from WNBF News about the move from Flock to Axon. But according to a prepared statement, university officials "reviewed numerous systems" before deciding to move to Axon.

According to the statement, Binghamton University will own the data collected by new Axon cameras. The system will "operate in an independent cloud" that will isolate the university's data from other jurisdictions.

Two license plate readers stand side-by-side outside a Guthrie health clinic on Corliss Avenue in Johnson City. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Information collected by the Axon network would be provided only "in response to a law enforcement request and through appropriate University Police processes."

The statement indicated data that's now retained for 30 days will be purged after 21 days in the new system.

In promoting its devices, Axon claims agencies can "act faster and respond smarter with livestreaming, ALPR, and vehicle recognition in one device."

Axon Outpost and Flock Safety license plate readers at the future Binghamton University battery research complex near CFJ Park in Johnson City. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

In recent weeks, Axon Outpost cameras have been installed near existing Flock Safety units on the Binghamton University main campus in Vestal.

Axon plate readers now are located outside the University Downtown Center in Binghamton and at several spots around the Health Sciences Campus in Johnson City.

The university released no information about the financial arrangements it has with Flock or Axon.

An Axon Outpost license plate reader at the Binghamton University Downtown Center on Washington Street on October 21, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.