Community Urges Costa Mesa to End Contract with Flock Safety
Residents of Costa Mesa, alongside immigrant rights advocates and concerned citizens, have called on local officials to terminate the city’s contract with Flock Safety, a company specializing in automatic license plate readers. Their demand highlights ongoing worries about mass surveillance and the potential for data sharing between local law enforcement and federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As a response to these concerns, the Costa Mesa City Council is set to vote on the issue during its upcoming meeting on July 21.
This week, dozens rallied at City Hall, chanting “Get the Herd Out of Costa Mesa,” as reported by mutual aid group Lucha Costa Mesa. The demonstration aimed to address ongoing problems with illegal immigration raids targeting law-abiding residents, including a recent incident where a Costa Mesa man was arrested and subsequently deported after being struck by a vehicle on his way to work.
Workers install automatic license plate readers in Costa Mesa in 2023.
(Courtesy of Costa Mesa Police Department)
Advocates voiced their concerns regarding the treatment of Rafael Ruiz, a diabetic father of two, who was detained and deported from a facility in Santa Ana before a city-funded immigration lawyer could intervene. Community members are skeptical about the role Flock’s cameras play in such deportations, given that these devices can capture thousands of images in just minutes and store them for up to a year, potentially sharing this data with various law enforcement agencies.
Local resident and health advocate Juana Trejo expressed her fears, saying, “Instead of feeling safe, we feel really insecure and watched.” Trejo added that the community is increasingly concerned given the recent surge of activity from immigration agents and the presence of bounty hunters. This call to action comes after the City Council had previously requested a comprehensive audit of the police department’s use of surveillance technology during their April 21 meeting.
In 2024, Costa Mesa approved the addition of 15 new Flock automatic license plate readers, increasing the total to 46.
(Courtesy of Costa Mesa City)
Signed in June 2022, Costa Mesa’s contract with Flock Safety began with 31 cameras, and a subsequent 15 cameras were added through grants addressing organized retail theft. Within their first year, these devices reportedly assisted in detaining 107 felony offenders and recovering 80 stolen vehicles valued at approximately $1.3 million.
However, a troubling incident has raised new alarm; a former Costa Mesa police officer illegally accessed camera data to track personal contacts, which led to his termination and a three-year probation sentence. This breach resulted in heightened scrutiny from residents who demand transparency regarding the city’s use of surveillance data. Current discussions in the City Council include evaluating potential alternatives to Flock Safety as they seek clarity on the police department’s operations concerning this sensitive technology.
At the recent rally, community members reiterated the need for an investigation into the police department’s use of Flock’s data. Concerns were raised regarding the department’s alleged unauthorized requests for surveillance footage on behalf of federal agencies, actions that might violate California’s Senate Bill 34, which restricts how local law enforcement can utilize and disseminate data from automatic license plate readers. Legal ramifications have already surfaced, exemplified by California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s lawsuit against the city of El Cajon for unlawfully sharing footage with more than 100 out-of-state entities.
Alison Lin, a concerned resident, emphasized the implications of Costa Mesa’s contract with Flock, suggesting it may lack necessary safeguards against data misuse. Council members, including Andrea Marr and Arliss Reynolds, have reiterated their support for deeper investigation into these practices. With the City Council meeting on July 21 approaching, the discussions surrounding the potential termination of the contract with Flock Safety remain pivotal.
City Councilman Mike Bouley expressed openness to the discussion while acknowledging the importance of examining both sides of the argument. He noted that access to this data could aid in crime prevention and law enforcement, provided it is used responsibly and in accordance with the law.
