San Diego Committee to Weigh Ending Flock Safety Contract
The Budget and Government Efficiency Committee will review a resolution to terminate the city's license plate reader contract.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Property Crime
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A San Diego City Council committee is set to discuss a resolution to cancel the city's contract with Flock Safety on October 21. The proposed measure follows ongoing concerns regarding the use of automatic license plate reader technology in the city.
Why it matters
Councilmembers have raised alarms about wrongful arrests and a data breach that exposed the police department network to external agencies. There are also concerns regarding how federal authorities may use the technology for immigration enforcement.
The city currently employs Flock Safety technology, which has assisted in nearly 900 criminal investigations and the recovery of $8.7 million in stolen property. The legal status of these operations remains contested following a lawsuit filed on September 30.
The players
Todd Gloria
As the Mayor of San Diego, he previously vetoed efforts to end the city's relationship with the vendor.
Stephen Whitburn
He is a San Diego City Councilmember who has voiced apprehension regarding the use of surveillance tools for immigration enforcement.
ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties
The organization acts as a legal advocate for civil liberties and recently initiated litigation against the city over surveillance practices.
The details
The resolution calls for the immediate deletion of all data stored within the Flock Safety program. Any future proposal for similar technology would require a formal review by the Privacy Advisory Board and subsequent City Council approval.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: The ACLU filed a lawsuit against the city regarding the technology.
October 21, 2026: The Budget and Government Efficiency Committee will hold a discussion on the contract resolution.
Legal Context
The upcoming committee vote marks a potential shift following the failed June 2026 attempt to cancel the Flock contract. The local legal environment remains pressured by the recent ACLU lawsuit challenging the city's oversight of surveillance technology.
The potential termination of this contract could force the city to overhaul its current investigative tools used for tracking stolen property. Residents should monitor the committee decision to see how it affects local law enforcement surveillance capabilities.
The takeaway
City officials face a difficult balance between maintaining tools for recovering stolen property and addressing significant privacy and data security vulnerabilities. Residents and stakeholders should stay informed as the city defines its future policy on automated surveillance tools.
Further reading
For more information on local investigations and security trends, visit the San Diego Property Crime section.
Live Poll
Do you support the use of automatic license plate readers by police in your community?
