3D-Printed ‘Flock Sock’ Blinds Controversial Cams — Install It With a Broom
The "Flock Sock": A 3D-Printed Cover for Controversial License Plate Cameras
What Are Flock Cameras and Why Are People Upset?
Imagine a camera that sits on a pole in your neighborhood. It doesn’t just take pictures—it reads every single license plate that drives by, day and night. It uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to log where cars go and when. That is a Flock camera.
Cities buy these cameras to help solve crimes, like finding stolen cars. But lately, many people are angry about them. Here is why:
- Privacy concerns: They track innocent people’s movements 24/7.
- Police misuse: Investigators found at least 18 cases where police officers used the system to stalk romantic partners.
- Mistaken identity: Errors in the system have led to innocent people being detained at gunpoint—like a car reviewer who was held for an hour because the camera misread a license plate.
- Cities pushing back: Some towns have voted to remove the cameras entirely.
IMPORTANT: Legal Warning
Tampering with these cameras is almost certainly illegal.
If you try to block, break, or cover a Flock camera, you could face serious charges like:
- Vandalism
- Criminal mischief
- Property damage
- Tampering with public infrastructure
- Obstruction of justice
This article explains a new 3D-printed tool, but it does NOT encourage you to use it illegally.
The Problem: How People Were Blocking Cameras (Dangerously)
Before this new tool existed, frustrated citizens tried "DIY" methods to blind the cameras. Both methods have big downsides:
| Method | Why It’s Bad |
|---|---|
| Black Trash Bags | You have to climb high up a pole (dangerous without equipment) and tie the bag tight so wind doesn’t blow it off. |
| Spray Paint / Insulating Foam | This destroys the camera lens. That is property damage, which leads to much harsher criminal charges. |
The Solution: The "Flock Sock" (A 3D-Printed Cover)
A 3D-printing enthusiast named SquidInk designed a better way: The Flock Sock.
It is a custom-fit plastic cover that slides right over the camera housing—like putting a sock on a foot.
Why Is It Different?
- Zero Damage: No glue, no screws, no paint, no foam. It just slides on and off.
- Fast & Easy: Takes seconds to install.
- Safe Installation: It has a built-in hole that fits a standard 1-inch broom handle. You can put it on from the ground—no climbing required.
- Reversible: It "pops off instantly with absolutely no damage caused and costs exactly $0 to revert."
- Free Design: The file is free to download on Maker World.
The Creator’s Tongue-in-Cheek Description:
"The Flock Sock is a slip on cover designed to help protect a Flock camera from the harmful radiation of the sun. Your city spent their very own hard-earned tax dollars scattering these cameras everywhere to keep you safe, all it cost you was a little privacy. The very least you can do is help protect these valuable civil servants from getting a bad sunburn."
How to Get and Use a Flock Sock (Step-by-Step)
If you have access to a 3D printer (or a library/makerspace that has one), here is the process:
- Download the File: Go to the Maker World page and download the 3D model (STL file).
- Choose Your Plastic (Filament):
- Best Choice: ABS or ASA. These plastics handle outdoor heat and UV rays from the sun without melting or getting brittle.
- Budget Choice: PLA. It is easier to print, but the creator jokes it will "develop a long term relationship with the summer heat" (meaning it will likely warp or melt in the sun).
- Print the Parts: Print the cover and the broom-handle adapter.
- Assemble: Attach the adapter to the cover.
- Deploy: Slide the adapter onto a broom handle, reach up, and slip the cover over the camera. Done!
Current Status & Future Plans
- Current Model: The design currently fits one specific Flock camera model (the most common "Falcon" style).
- Coming Soon: SquidInk is working on profiles for the other two common Flock camera models so there will be a sock for every type.
Summary
- Flock cameras are AI-powered license plate readers spreading across US cities.
- Controversy erupted due to privacy invasion, police stalking scandals, and wrongful detentions.
- Citizens blocking cameras with bags or paint face danger and serious felony charges.
- The "Flock Sock" is a free, 3D-printable, non-destructive cover that slides on in seconds using a broom handle.
- It causes zero damage and removes instantly, but using it may still be illegal in your jurisdiction.
- Print material matters: Use ASA/ABS for durability; PLA will likely fail in the heat.
FAQ
1. Is it legal to put a Flock Sock on a camera?
Almost certainly not. While the device itself causes no physical damage, placing any unauthorized cover on government surveillance equipment typically constitutes tampering with public infrastructure or obstruction. You can still be arrested and charged.
2. Do I need an expensive 3D printer to make this?
Not necessarily. Many public libraries, universities, and community "makerspaces" have 3D printers you can use for a small fee (or free). You just need to bring the downloaded file.
3. What is the difference between PLA, ABS, and ASA filament?
- PLA: Easy to print, biodegradable, but softens in a hot car/sun (approx. 60°C/140°F). Will likely sag on a camera in summer.
- ABS: Strong, heat-resistant, but warps while printing (needs an enclosed printer) and smells bad.
- ASA: Best for outdoor use. Same strength as ABS but UV resistant (won’t yellow or get brittle in sun) and warps less.
4. Does the Flock Sock work on all Flock cameras?
Not yet. Currently, it fits the most common model. The creator is actively designing versions for the other two main models used by Flock.
5. Why does the creator call it "sun protection"?
It is satire. The description mocks the city’s justification for the cameras ("keeping you safe") by pretending the camera is a "civil servant" that needs protection from sunburn, while the citizen lost their privacy.