ELI5: How do Flock cameras work?

Flock cameras work by taking quick pictures of cars driving by and reading their license plates to help find missing people or stolen vehicles.

Think of a Flock camera like a super-smart robot crossing guard that stands beside the road in your neighborhood. While human eyes might miss things when cars zoom past, this robot has a special eye that never gets tired or blinks.

Here is how it works during a regular day:

• Taking a Snapshot: Whenever a car drives down the street, the camera snaps a few clear pictures of the back of the car.
• Reading the Clues: A smart computer brain inside the camera looks at the picture. It instantly reads the numbers and letters on the license plate, just like you would read the words in a storybook. It also remembers the car's color, make, and special features like a roof rack or a bumper sticker.
• Checking the Safety List: The camera quickly checks the license plate against a special "warning list" from the police. This list includes cars that were reported stolen or cars connected to missing people, like an Amber Alert.
• Sending an Alert: If the car is on the warning list, the camera sends a quiet, instant message to the local police officers, telling them, "Hey, that missing car just drove past this street corner!"