The streets are under watch, and MapQuest now helps users locate those watchful devices. The navigation application introduced a new capability this week, enabling discovery of Flock cameras along with other automatic license plate readers in local areas and further afield.

MapQuest announced via Bluesky that its application displays positions of license plate readers from Flock and numerous additional firms, including Motorola Solutions (Vigilant), Genetec, Axis Communications, Axon, Leonardo (ELSAG), Neology, Rekor, PlateSmart, Ubicquia, Verkada, among others.

Activating this tool requires opening the MapQuest app, selecting the Layers icon, and enabling the Surveillance setting. Users will then notice small eye icons on the map denoting the positions of these readers. Tapping an icon reveals details such as the reader type, whether dome or fixed, plus precise location coordinates.

MapQuest has gained renewed attention after years of being overshadowed by competitors like Google, Apple, and Waze. Recently, the service declined to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America on its maps following an executive order from President Donald Trump. It has also expanded availability on Android Auto, offering an option besides Google Maps.

However, MapQuest is not the initial application to expose license plate reader positions. Others such as DeFlock, FlockHopper, Pelican, and LPR Maps perform similar functions. Several depend on user contributions, where drivers report suspected reader sightings and their placements.

MapQuest did not disclose its method for identifying license plate reader locations, and no immediate comment was available from a company representative.

While license plate readers have existed for many years with over 140,000 deployed throughout the US, the technology faces significant criticism. Flock cameras gather extensive vehicle information including license plates, make, model, color, and position. Privacy advocates argue this data, stored in law enforcement systems nationwide, forms a broad surveillance system capable of monitoring all individuals rather than only those under suspicion.

Cases of misuse include officers using Flock data to stalk former partners and instances of innocent drivers being stopped under false accusations of vehicle theft.

These readers also support routine tasks like toll collection, traffic enforcement, parking management, vehicle recovery, and controlling access gates.

Personal Experience with Local License Plate Readers

Testing the updated MapQuest feature proved insightful. As a regular user of Google Maps, I lacked the MapQuest app initially and downloaded it to my device.

Upon launching the app and activating the Surveillance layer, numerous eye icons appeared across the map of my city and surrounding county. Selecting several icons displayed their coordinates and classifications like dome, fixed, or pan/tilt, though owner company names were absent.

Nevertheless, the feature provides awareness of monitored roadways.