(KRON) -- Flock Safety, the Atlanta company that makes controversial surveillance cameras, drones and license plate readers, is looking to reduce its headcount. A Flock representative told KRON4 News that the company had offered current employees a "generous Voluntary Separation Program" as part of the company's "efforts to position the company for its next phase of growth."
This comes amid reports from Reuters and other outlets that Flock is planning to lay off about 18% of its staff -- roughly 270 people. However, Flock spokesperson Paris Lewbel emphasized that the program being initiated was a "voluntary program" and "not a layoff."
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The effort to get current employees to leave on their own accord, Lewbel said, reflects Flock's "continued focus on building a strong, sustainable business for the future."
Voluntary or not, Flock making efforts to reduce its headcount comes amid a growing backlash to surveillance technology in general. Flock in particular, has come in for criticism from the public over its private surveillance network which is composed in part of over 100,000 license plate-reading cameras deployed across the United States.
In the Bay Area, there have been dozens of contentious public meetings over the deployment of Flock cameras in local communities. In San Jose earlier this year, three people filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the city's use of Flock cameras on public streets. In August, a civil grand jury reviewed the use of Flock cameras in San Mateo County.
Last month, Half Moon Bay announced it would be ending its contract with the company. In SoCal, the Los Angeles Police Department allowed its contract with Flock to expire, citing serious concerns over civil liberties and privacy.
