Numerous California law enforcement agencies searched the Santa Cruz Police Department’s Flock camera data thousands of times in the past 18 months on behalf of federal immigration agencies, according to data compiled by grassroots coalition Get The Flock Out.
Flock Safety cameras
Posted inLatest News
Georgia police chief, arrested for using Flock cameras for stalking and harassment, searched Capitola data earlier this year
Data compiled by countywide grassroots coalition Get The Flock Out shows that a former Georgia police chief searched Capitola data in early 2025. Capitola Police Chief Sarah Ryan said she was not aware of these searches, but given the recent issues with Flock Safety is not surprised.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
City of Santa Cruz delays Flock camera discussion until January
The Santa Cruz City Council has pushed off plans to revisit its contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate readers until January, rather than its originally planned date of Dec. 9.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Santa Cruz City Council reopens its debate over license plate readers
A look at what’s happening in Santa Cruz County politics & policy, from Flock Safety cameras in the city of Santa Cruz to Mid-County power outages and a “peace deal” on the passenger rail and trail.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
City of Santa Cruz pauses statewide license plate data-sharing, citing Flock Safety’s violation of California law
Santa Cruz will temporarily limit access to its license plate reader data from outside agencies and review its agreement with Flock Safety after the company acknowledged it had violated California law by allowing out-of-state law enforcement agencies to access local data.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Capitola police chief says immigration officials’ access to its license plate reader database was a mistake
Federal and out-of-state law enforcement agencies accessed databases with information collected by Capitola’s automated license plate readers on behalf of immigration officials between 2024 and early this year. Capitola’s police chief says it was a mistake.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Decision day looms for Santa Cruz’s dueling affordable housing ballot measures
This week’s newsletter covering Santa Cruz County politics and policy highlights the stretch run for Measures B and C in the city of Santa Cruz, what’s on agendas for local city councils and commissions and other stories you might have missed.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom just vetoed a bill to regulate license plate readers — even as fresh evidence of misuse emerges
Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required regular purges of license plate databases and regularly audited how automated plate readers are used. He said the regulations would have impeded criminal investigations.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Watsonville council is betraying the community by approving Flock surveillance cameras
Watsonville leaders betrayed the community by approving 17 more Flock Safety surveillance cameras, writes a countywide grassroots coalition that opposes the cameras. The vote means Watsonville will have more than any other city in Santa Cruz County even as critics warn the devices erode privacy.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville leaders say controversial plan to expand license plate readers won’t undermine city’s sanctuary status
Watsonville officials are defending their city’s immigration sanctuary reputation amid an outcry from residents over a plan to nearly double the use of Flock Safety’s license plate surveillance cameras.