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MONTEREY PARK, Calif. () — Residents in Monterey Park raised concerns during a community meeting on Tuesday about the city’s use of Flock Safety cameras and who has access to the images they capture.
The license plate readers take images of the make, model and color of vehicles and store that data so law enforcement can track down suspects in crimes. The devices have drawn attention across the country over privacy and security concerns.
Those concerns were discussed during a community question-and-answer session and demonstration in Monterey Park. Among the concerns was fear that the data could be misused when shared across multiple law enforcement agencies.
“The question is: How do we address the vulnerabilities in the system which will give away our privacy? Which leaves our town susceptible to ICE? They have no answer to that, and that’s why we don’t trust Flock,” said Steven Kung, who opposes the cameras.
Some communities are reconsidering whether to continue using the service. Last month, the Los Angeles Police Department announced it was ending its agreement with Flock Safety.
“This contract is not being renewed because of serious concerns around civil liberties and civil rights issues, particularly around privacy and data that is being collected from these cameras,” said Dean Gialamas, LAPD’s chief information officer.
Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said his department blocks its Flock service from federal agencies and third parties.
Flock Safety cameras have been in use in Monterey Park since 2020, and there are 34 city-owned devices installed across the area. Police said the cameras assisted in 39 criminal arrests over the last month.
The service costs taxpayers nearly $100,000 a year.
“If you are driving down a public street, somebody can take a picture of your license plate. Flock doesn’t allow access into your personal life. They are taking a photograph of public information, and we are using that in law enforcement as a tool to further an investigation,” Wiese said.
Wiese said license plate reader devices helped track down the suspect in the Monterey Park mass shooting three years ago that left 11 people dead and nine injured.
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“Through the ALPR system, we were able to show that he was down in Torrance, and that led us to sending Torrance PD information, and then Torrance PD ultimately finding the suspect,” Wiese said.
Monterey Park police said the usage of the devices is audited, and the city maintains a portal where the public can see how the collected data is being used.
Some residents said they support the technology but want safeguards.
“There’s a lot of issues that we need to address and make sure our civil rights aren’t being violated. But that doesn’t mean you should get rid of them. It just means we have to refine the process on how they’re being used,” said Gregory Moss, who supports Flock.
Monterey Park said it would like to continue holding more public education meetings.
On Tuesday, Flock Safety said it is still working with LAPD on a new agreement. The security firm said it is listening to critics, and that those conversations have led to a deeper understanding of what Flock is doing with the cameras.
“Once they understand what the technology actually does, not what it might do in 50 years, not what someone thinks it could do, but what it actually does day in and day out. It takes a picture of a car… most people go, ‘This makes a lot of sense. I want my kids to be safe,” said Garrett Langley, the founder and CEO of Flock.
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