08/06/2026
August 6, 2026
An Open Letter to the Salisbury Community Regarding Flock Safety Technology From Police Chief Dave Meienschein
To the Members of Our Community,
I want to take a moment to provide our community with an update regarding the Salisbury Police Department’s implementation and use of Flock Safety technology. As Chief of Police, I believe it is important that our residents understand why we implemented this technology, how it is being used, and the safeguards we have put in place to ensure it is used responsibly.
As deployment of the Flock Safety system has progressed, we understand that community members may have questions regarding the system’s capabilities, limitations, deployment strategy, and safeguards. Those are important questions, and we are committed to providing clear and accurate information about how this technology supports our officers while protecting individual privacy.
The Flock Safety system implemented by the Salisbury Police Department is a limited investigative tool designed to assist officers during criminal investigations. It does not replace traditional policing, officer judgment, community partnerships, or the investigative process. Its use is strictly governed by Maryland law and department policy, including requirements regarding authorized access, appropriate use, auditing, and accountability.
The placement of Flock Safety cameras is based on public safety needs, investigative value, crime trends, and locations where the technology can provide the greatest benefit to our community. The system is used to monitor public spaces and areas used by the public in general. These decisions are made thoughtfully and are guided by department policy and our responsibility to use public safety resources effectively.
Since deployment began, Flock Safety has provided critical investigative information that has assisted our officers in identifying and apprehending offenders involved in serious criminal offenses, including sexual assaults, carjackings, and robberies, as well as assisting in the recovery of stolen vehicles and supporting investigations involving missing persons.
I want our community to know that transparency and accountability remain central to how we implement and use this technology. To support that commitment, we have launched our Flock Safety Transparency Portal, providing the public with access to information about our program, policies, frequently asked questions, and other resources related to the responsible use of this technology.
We have also published answers to the ten most frequently asked questions regarding Flock Safety. We will continue to provide information, respond to community questions, and update our public resources as additional questions are presented.
Please take a moment to visit our new website at www.salisburypolicemd.com, including our Flock Safety Transparency Portal at www.salisburypolicemd.com/flockTransparencyPortal, where you can access information about our program, department policies, frequently asked questions, and other resources related to the responsible use of this technology.
You can also download our police department app, available on both the App Store and Google Play, and follow us on our official social media platforms, Instagram and Salisbury, Maryland Police Department. These resources provide timely updates, important public safety information, community announcements, and opportunities to stay connected with your police department.
Flock Safety is one of many tools available to law enforcement and represents our continued effort to use responsible, effective, and legally compliant technology to improve public safety while maintaining the trust and confidence of the community we are honored to serve.
Respectfully,
David Meienschein
Chief of Police
Salisbury Police Department
