San Francisco's car crime has plunged. How much credit does Flock deserve?

San Francisco leaders say AI-powered cameras helped drive a dramatic decline in car crime. We examine the evidence — and whether the city can keep its high-tech dragnet without sacrificing civil liberties.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3669x2428+0+0/resize/3669x2428!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F67%2F9e11d62e47fbb1d07735f90475dc%2Fgettyimages-2157492329.jpg' alt='SAN FRANCISCO - JUNE 13: An automated license plate reader is seen mounted on a pole on June 13, 2024, in San Francisco.'/><p>San Francisco leaders say AI-powered cameras helped drive a dramatic decline in car crime. We examine the evidence — and whether the city can keep its high-tech dragnet without sacrificing civil liberties.</p><p>(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=g-s1-146060' />