Oakland Has Not Finalized Flock Safety Surveillance Contract
The city has yet to sign the $2.25 million deal despite previous council approval for the surveillance technology.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Oakland city officials have not yet signed a finalized contract with Flock Safety for surveillance technology, even though the City Council approved the $2.25 million deal in December 2025. The city is currently holding off on execution as it works to incorporate contract amendments meant to address community concerns.
Why it matters
The delay reflects heightened caution regarding data privacy following reports of police misuse of surveillance systems elsewhere, including an incident in San Jose where an officer allegedly used such technology to stalk a woman. By building in new oversight measures, Oakland aims to prevent similar unauthorized access and ensure stricter compliance.
The agreement includes a provision for four compliance audits by the city auditor and mandates that Flock Safety provide quarterly compliance certifications. These measures are designed to ensure that no unauthorized federal or out-of-state users access local data.
The players
Oakland City Council
This is the legislative body responsible for governing the City of Oakland and authorizing municipal contracts and public safety expenditures.
Flock Safety
This private company provides automated license plate recognition and surveillance technology used by law enforcement agencies across the country.
San Jose Police Department
This law enforcement agency recently faced scrutiny after an officer was fired for allegedly using surveillance technology to stalk a woman.
The details
Oakland's proposed agreement features strict requirements for real-time alerts if Flock Safety grants new agency access to data. Furthermore, the city has set a 30-day data retention period, which exceeds the company's recommended 7-day default setting to balance investigative needs with public privacy.
Timeline
The Oakland City Council approved the Flock Safety deal in December 2025.
A city attorney spokesperson confirmed the contract remained unfinalized on September 9, 2026.
The contract is slated for expiration and a required competitive bidding process in December 2027.
Legal Context
Oakland's current approach follows a pattern set by the San Jose police officer surveillance misuse incident, where the city is proactively adding oversight to prevent similar data abuse. This reflects a broader trend of cities imposing stricter limitations on law enforcement technology to protect civil liberties.
Residents can expect the finalized agreement to include specific oversight mechanisms, such as required compliance audits, aimed at securing their personal data. These contract amendments are intended to mitigate the risk of unauthorized surveillance by law enforcement personnel.
The takeaway
The delay in the Oakland contract highlights how municipal governments are increasingly prioritizing data privacy safeguards over rapid technology deployment. Residents and stakeholders should monitor the city's future implementation to see if these compliance measures effectively prevent misuse.
Further reading
For more information on municipal oversight of public safety tools, visit the Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Oaklandside.
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