Garrett Langley: Flock Safety has cleared over a million crimes, the need for integrated neighborhood safety solutions, and how technology is reshaping policing

Key takeaways

• The lack of consolidation in neighborhood safety solutions presents a significant market opportunity.
• Traditional security systems focus on individual safety but fail to assist in solving crimes.
• Flock Safety has played a role in clearing over a million crimes in the US.
• Flock’s technology integrates with city cameras to enhance real-time crime response.
• The use of drones and computer vision technology allows for safer and more efficient suspect apprehension.
• Flock covers over 6,000 cities, impacting more than 50% of the US population.
• The decentralized model of law enforcement in the US complicates information sharing.
• Recent legal changes have allowed the use of cloud technology for law enforcement in certain states.
• The complexity of law enforcement coordination in the US is influenced by varying public trust levels.
• Clear legislative frameworks are necessary to improve law enforcement collaboration.
• Flock’s integration with existing city infrastructure enhances its effectiveness.
• The use of technology in policing represents a significant shift in operational tactics.
• The reach of Flock’s technology indicates its substantial impact on national law enforcement.
• The challenges of data sharing in law enforcement are partly due to delayed technological adoption.
• Public trust dynamics affect the collaboration between different levels of law enforcement.

Guest intro

Garrett Langley is the founder and CEO of Flock Safety, a public safety operating system that helps communities and law enforcement eliminate crime through solar-powered, AI-enabled cameras. He co-founded the company in 2017 as part of Y Combinator’s S17 batch and has grown it to a $3.5 billion valuation while raising over $150 million in funding. Previously, he founded Experience, which was acquired by Cox Enterprises for $200 million, and Clutch, a vehicle subscription service.

The gap in neighborhood safety solutions

• There is no consolidation of safety solutions for neighborhoods in America.

  — Garrett Langley

• Traditional security systems are focused on individual safety, not on solving crimes.

• Every single security system was focused on the individual… they don’t actually help you solve it.

  — Garrett Langley

• The lack of integrated systems in neighborhood safety is a significant market gap.
• There is a need for community-oriented approaches to enhance safety.
• Current security solutions have limitations in community contexts.
• The absence of integrated safety solutions highlights a potential area for innovation.
• Understanding the landscape of neighborhood safety solutions is crucial for addressing this gap.

Flock’s impact on crime resolution

• Flock has helped clear over a million crimes in America.

  — Garrett Langley

• This claim underscores the effectiveness of Flock’s systems in crime resolution.
• Flock’s technology has a significant impact on crime resolution across the US.
• The scale of Flock’s impact is evident in the number of crimes cleared.
• Flock’s systems enhance real-time crime response through integration with city cameras.

• We have a product called flock os that allows us to integrate all the cameras in a city.

  — Garrett Langley

• The technical mechanism of Flock’s technology enhances public safety.
• Understanding the scale and impact of Flock’s technology is essential for appreciating its effectiveness.

Technological advancements in policing

• The integration of drones and computer vision technology allows for real-time crime response.

• We can do that on people we did that on vehicles… safe tactical apprehension.

  — Garrett Langley

• This innovation represents a significant shift in operational tactics for law enforcement.
• The use of technology in policing improves response times and safety.
• Flock’s coverage of over 6,000 cities indicates its substantial impact on law enforcement.

• It’s just over 6,000 cities… well north of 50% of America.

  — Garrett Langley

• The reach of Flock’s technology highlights its effectiveness in enhancing public safety.
• Understanding the technological advancements in law enforcement is crucial for appreciating these innovations.

Challenges in US law enforcement coordination

• The decentralized model of law enforcement in the US creates challenges for information sharing.

• America is really the only country that operates under a model where local municipalities provide law enforcement service.

  — Garrett Langley

• This model complicates crime prevention and coordination across different jurisdictions.
• The recent legalization of cloud technology for law enforcement in certain states has improved data sharing.

• The cloud was only recently made legal in Florida as recently as 2022.

  — Garrett Langley

• Delays in technological adoption have hindered law enforcement efficiency.
• Understanding the structure of law enforcement in the US is essential for addressing these challenges.
• The complexity of law enforcement coordination is influenced by the decentralized model and technological limitations.

Public trust and law enforcement collaboration

• Law enforcement coordination is complicated by varying levels of trust in government agencies.

• There’s this interesting dynamic where… most people’s trust in the federal government is very low.

  — Garrett Langley

• Public trust dynamics affect the collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
• Clear legislative frameworks are necessary to improve law enforcement collaboration.

• We should just write laws… defines the rules of engagement.

  — Garrett Langley

• The need for clear legal frameworks is emphasized to facilitate cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
• Understanding the relationship between law enforcement agencies and public trust is crucial for improving collaboration.
• The impact of public trust on law enforcement dynamics highlights the importance of clear legislation.