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San Diego Council to Vote on Flock License-Plate Readers After Protests Over Data Access

Advocates cite thousands of outside searches of San Diegans’ plate data in a recent breach.

Overview

  • The City Council will decide whether SDPD may continue using Flock’s ALPR system on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m.
  • Councilmembers Sean Elo-Rivera and Henry Foster III joined more than 50 demonstrators to urge the city to halt the program.
  • SDPD says the cameras aided about 600 investigations, recovered roughly $5.8–$6 million in property, and coincided with a more than 20% drop in vehicle crime.
  • The city’s Privacy Advisory Board recommended stopping Flock and listed 31 changes, while the Public Safety Committee later voted unanimously to continue without changes.
  • Supporters led by Councilmember Raul Campillo call the program cost efficient at $2–$3 million per year, as opponents warn of risks to immigrants and people seeking reproductive care.