Residents press Twentynine Palms council for transparency and review of Flock surveillance cameras

Multiple residents told the Twentynine Palms City Council they were concerned about the growth and use of Flock license-plate surveillance cameras in the city and asked for greater transparency and the ability to review the program.

Chris Caraker, who said he lives in Wonder Valley, described routine surveillance he and neighbors experience when entering city limits and urged council to "reconsider the use of flock cameras and to be totally upfront with the citizens about what the parameters are on the cameras and ideally to take them down altogether." Beth Sheffield said the number of Flock cameras on the city map had risen from 21 to 33 in four months and argued that privacy protections are democracy issues.

Public commenters raised related concerns about private data ownership, who can access records, whether vendors' employees view footage, and the risk of sharing data with federal agencies. Several speakers thanked Councilmember Scott for scheduling a July roundtable discussion to explore the cameras and the contract.

Council did not take immediate action at the meeting but added the item to future discussion for a public roundtable. Members said the council wanted more information and public engagement before changing policy or vendor contracts.