- Flock Safety, founded after a personal experience with unsolved crime, now helps clear over a million crimes annually.
- The company's AI-powered cameras and drones are transforming law enforcement's ability to respond in real-time.
- Beyond public safety, Flock's corporate solutions protect employees and assets, addressing evolving security threats.
What started as a personal quest to solve a neighborhood crime has evolved into Flock Safety, a technology powerhouse clearing over a million crimes a year across America. Garrett Langley, CEO of Flock Safety, shares the company's journey, its innovative approach to public safety, and the unique challenges of building hardware and selling to government agencies.
Eight years ago, a firearm stolen from a car in Garrett Langley's Atlanta neighborhood went unsolved, prompting him to action. Frustrated by the police department's lack of resources for property crimes, Langley, an electrical engineer, teamed up with a computer science buddy to build a simple license plate tracking camera. This DIY solution led to an arrest, garnered local news attention, and sparked the idea for Flock Safety. The company's early growth was surprisingly driven by local 5 PM news segments, demonstrating the public's hunger for effective crime solutions.
Today, Flock Safety's network spans over 6,000 cities, covering more than 50% of the US population. Their sophisticated product portfolio includes AI-powered cameras that detect anomalies like stolen plates, real-time 911 call integration, and American-made drones. These technologies enable law enforcement to solve crimes with unprecedented speed, often leading to arrests within minutes. Langley highlights a case where a suspect was apprehended in 17 minutes after an attempted homicide, and another where a drone tracked a 'cow-painted' van from an armed robbery, leading to a safe arrest at the suspect's home. The company also tackles the unique challenge of fragmented US law enforcement, facilitating crucial inter-agency data sharing that was historically manual and slow.
Beyond public safety, Flock Safety has a rapidly growing corporate business, generating over $100 million in ARR. This segment focuses on protecting employees and assets for industries like retail, healthcare, and logistics. Use cases range from automatically flagging terminated employees returning to campus to tracking sophisticated organized retail crime, which has shifted from stores to distribution facilities. Langley also delves into the complex debate surrounding privacy, arguing that while Flock operates in the physical world and is held to a higher standard, its data retention policies and public audit trails offer accountability. He advocates for nuanced legislation that allows technology like facial recognition for severe crimes while respecting civil liberties.
Looking ahead, Langley emphasizes a shift towards crime prevention and rehabilitation. Flock Safety aims to expand its impact beyond solving crimes after they occur, exploring initiatives like its 'Thriving Cities Fund' to create job opportunities for at-risk youth. He envisions a future where technology not only deters crime but also offers second chances, reducing prison populations and fostering productive members of society. This holistic approach underscores Flock Safety's commitment to building safer communities, not just catching criminals.
“If you commit violence in Cobb County, you will get arrested.”
- Garrett Langley, Founder and CEO of Flock Safety
