Compton council approves two‑year Flock Safety camera lease after heated public debate over privacy
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Summary
The Compton City Council authorized a two‑year, sole‑source lease with Flock Safety for 74 ALPR units and 37 PTZ cameras (not to exceed $801,642), including a four‑month trial and proposed 30‑day data retention; residents and community organizers urged delay or a thorough legal review over privacy and state‑law concerns.
The Compton City Council voted to authorize a two‑year, sole‑source lease agreement with Flock Safety Incorporated for 74 automatic license‑plate readers and 37 PTZ cameras, in an amount not to exceed $801,642. Staff said the contract includes a four‑month trial period and that footage would generally be retained for about 30 days unless pulled for investigation.
The council’s staff presentation framed the equipment as a public‑safety tool, citing recent coordination with law enforcement and the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office on issues including suspected human‑trafficking activity. City staff told the council the vendor’s system is already used in other jurisdictions and that the city would control access to stored data; monitoring would initially be done by the city’s Community Improvement department with information passed to the sheriff’s department or district attorney as circumstances require.
During public comment, multiple residents and community organizers urged the council to decline or at least table the item. Speakers cited articles and reports raising concerns about Flock’s technology, potential vulnerabilities and the company’s prior use by federal agencies. One resident said Flock systems can provide “warrantless access to footage,” arguing the city should avoid technologies that might conflict with state protections including SB 34 and SB 54. Community organizers asked the council to explore community‑based alternatives that they said would protect privacy while addressing public safety.
Council members debated oversight, retention and enforcement. Staff said the proposed agreement could be terminated with 30 days’ notice and reiterated the planned trial period to evaluate benefits. Supporters on the council noted the district attorney’s interest in the technology’s investigative value and said the measure could improve response to crime hotspots such as sections of Long Beach Boulevard.
The motion to authorize the lease was moved and seconded, and the council recorded affirmative roll‑call votes. The contract includes a trial period and termination provisions staff highlighted as safeguards. The council did not adopt additional legally binding policy limits on third‑party access in that meeting; several community members and speakers asked for independent legal review and stronger written protections before the city moved beyond the trial.
What’s next: the contract includes an initial trial window and a 30‑day termination clause; council members and staff said they will evaluate the trial’s results and can cancel the agreement before long‑term commitments are made.
