Flock camera attacks and vandalism are happening nationwide, but when more than a dozen Flock automated license plate readers went down between April and October 2025 in Virginia, authorities started paying attention. Now, a U.S. Air Force engineer and mechanic is facing charges. Jeffrey Sovern faces 13 felony counts of destruction of property, six counts of petit larceny, and six counts of possession of burglary tools in connection with the Flock Safety camera takedowns across North Suffolk between April and October 2025. Sovern has pleaded not guilty.
The alleged vandalism began with cameras simply being redirected away from roads. Things soon escalated, with poles holding the cameras being knocked down. Finally, authorities started noticing cameras being thrown off bridges and onto interstates below.
Authorities were on the case as soon as they noticed Sovern’s gray pickup truck near one of the Flock cameras in question. From there, they obtained a warrant to place a GPS tracker on the car. That gave them enough to carry out a search warrant at Sovern’s home. While there, they recovered solar panels and other components believed to be from the destroyed camera systems.
Growing outrage over Flock cameras nationwide
Aaron of L.A. Photography/Shutterstock
Though Sovern’s the only one being charged in this particular case, it’s not just Virginia seeing pushback in response to Flock cameras. Since the company’s founding, Flock has signed contracts with more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies across nearly every state in the U.S, working out to over 20 billion license plate scans every month.
Flock cameras record a wide range of vehicle characteristics such as make, model, color, and distinguishing features, which proponents claim help law enforcement agencies better investigate crimes and identify suspects. On the flip side, many believe that Flock is creating a controversial surveillance network capable of tracking ordinary motorists who aren’t suspected of any criminal activity whatsoever, effectively violating their constitutional rights.
In Virginia, being charged with felony destruction of property entails having intentionally damaged or destroyed another person’s property, with the value of the damage being $1,000 or more. According to Suffolk police, each Flock camera installation includes an $800 camera, a $500 pole, and a $350 solar panel. With 13 different incidents total, Sovern faces 25 charges in all. And for a good idea of how fed up people are getting with Flock, he’s received over $15,000 in donations to support his case.
Android 17 is here, along with the June Pixel Drop.
The OS is rolling out to Pixel devices first.
Users are getting upgraded productivity, security, and more.
Android 17 is officially here, and it’s a doubly good day for Pixel users, as it’s bringing the June Pixel Drop with it.
Google has rolled out its annual OS update and its latest collection of Pixel-exclusive features at the same time, and the updates pack not only some practical features that will make an impact on how you use your phone daily, but also security protections, some new translation tricks, and more. Pixel Watches — the 2 and later — are included, too, with a potentially life-saving feature addition.
Here’s a look at what’s new in Android 17, which starts rolling out today to Pixel phones first and then to other devices “throughout 2026,” along with what’s new in the June 2026 Pixel Drop.
What’s new in Android 17?
Since many manufacturers now offer longer update windows, usually 4 to 7 years, a wide range of devices are eligible. The updated OS starts rolling out today to Pixel 6 phones and newer. Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series and newer will get it as One UI 9, along with the Flip 5 and newer, Galaxy A24 and newer, and Tab S9 series. OnePlus will bring Android 17 to the OnePlus 11 and newer.
1. App Bubbles
Perhaps the most useful feature is Bubbles, which lets you turn any app into a floating bubble on your main screen. All you have to do is long-press an app, and it becomes an easy-to-access bubble. If you consistently switch back and forth between apps or need to access a certain app often, like a map or airline app while you’re on a trip, you can now find what you need more quickly.
Pixel Folds are getting a special Bubble Bar at the bottom of the screen that lets you organize, move, and access your recent bubbles from one dedicated space.
2. Additional security
Android 17 is also bringing boosted security.
To start, you can now grant an app temporary access to your exact location and share only specific contacts.
Additionally, an enhanced “Mark as lost” feature, located in Find Hub, lets you lock a missing phone with your biometrics, so even if a thief has your passcode, they can’t access anything on your device or turn off tracking.
Improvements to Live Threat Detection block more suspicious apps and scams, Google explained, and enhanced Advanced Protection mode helps keep you safe from sophisticated threats. Lastly, Google is reducing the number of times someone can attempt to guess your PIN and adding longer wait times between failed attempts.
Also new is Screen Reactions, which lets you take a selfie video overlaid on a screen recording in lieu of a green screen; a 50/50 gaming mode with a dynamic pad for foldables; and built-in parental controls beyond Pixel devices, so you can set screen time limits and content filtering with a PIN, even if you don’t link your Google Account.
What’s in the June Pixel Drop?
Beyond Android 17, Pixel users are getting several Pixel-specific upgrades in the June Pixel Drop.
1. Custom greetings for Take a Message
Introduced in 2025, Take a Message expands on the Pixel call screening feature and gives you a real-time transcript of what the caller is saying, along with AI-generated follow-up steps. Now, Take a Message has custom greetings, letting you record a personalized outgoing message instead of the default voice.
2. New AI models
Two new AI models are making their way to Android phones. The first is Gemini Omni, a new way to create and edit videos. Gemini Omni lets you type in a prompt and get a custom, high-quality video. This is available on all devices with the Gemini app for Gemini Pro users only.
Also on the way is Lyria 3, which lets you create original tracks using text prompts or images as inspiration. You can prompt Gemini with the style, vocals, and tempo you want. This is coming to all Android 17 Pixel phones and Folds.
3. Voice Translate for the Pixel 10a
One of the Pixel 10 series’ exclusive features is Voice Translate, which provides a real-time translation on phone calls in the speaker’s voice. ZDNET’s Sabrina Ortiz tried the feature last fall, noting how quickly the feature worked and how well it copied her voice. Voice Translate is getting a small expansion, coming to the Pixel 10a.
Pixel users are also getting an expansion of Android Quick Share compatibility with AirDrop, coming to the Pixel 9a and Pixel 8a, and an expansion of Magic Cue to more apps, coming to the Pixel 10 series.
What’s new for Pixel Watches?
Pixel Watches are only getting one new feature, but it’s a potentially big one. Core detection features, including Car Crash Detection, Fall Detection, and Loss of Pulse Detection, are getting emergency sharing. If a severe event is detected, Google explains, your Pixel will call emergency services and notify your chosen contacts. You can toggle emergency contacts on or off for each type of event.
Fall Detection is coming to the Pixel Watch, plus the 2, 3, and 4, while Car Crash Detection is coming to the Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4. Loss of Pulse Detection is only coming to the last two generations, the Pixel Watch 3 and 4.
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