Citizen Portal
Sign In

Residents press San Bernardino to end Flock surveillance contract; council asked to review by March 31

San Bernardino City Council · February 18, 2026

Loading...

AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

During public comment dozens of residents urged the council not to renew the city’s vehicle‑reader / surveillance camera contract (identified in testimony as Flock) and asked that the city redirect funds to parks, lighting and services. Speakers cited privacy and immigration‑enforcement concerns.

Dozens of residents who addressed the council asked elected officials to end or refuse to renew the city’s surveillance‑camera and license‑plate reader contract with a vendor identified in testimony as Flock.

Multiple speakers from the airport area and Inland Empire community groups said the cameras collect data that can be used to surveil people of color and immigrant families. “These cameras are used to obtain our information,” a resident testified, and others asked the council to redirect the funds toward parks, lighting and other neighborhood investments.

Speakers said the city’s current contract is about $80,000 and urged a review before March 31. Community organizers and labor representatives urged the council to prioritize jobs, green space and public services over surveillance spending. Local community members and advocacy groups described fear in immigrant neighborhoods and asked the city to end the contract renewal process.

City staff and councilmembers did not immediately vote on contract termination during the meeting; public speakers asked the council to schedule formal review and a public discussion before any renewal. Several speakers said that if the contract is renewed it could undermine trust and discourage community members from patronizing local businesses.

What’s next: Residents requested that the council consider terminating or pausing renewal of the surveillance contract and to return to the council with alternatives that invest in community services; the transcript records calls for a March 31 review date from speakers, but no final council action to cancel the contract was recorded at this meeting.