Bakersfield police says Flock Safety cameras solve crimes faster as contract expansion considered
The short version: Bakersfield PD's push to expand its Flock contract leans on the usual 'solves crimes faster' pitch, but faster isn't the same as accountable.
Our Take
Credit to KBAK/BakersfieldNow for getting police on camera making the pitch Flock Safety reps have perfected nationwide: more cameras, more cleared cases, less friction. It's a compelling sound bite, but it's also the same script that's been used to justify expansion in hundreds of towns before anyone asks how many plates get scanned to catch how few suspects, or who else gets swept up in that data along the way.
'Solving crimes faster' sounds great until you remember these systems log every car that passes, not just the ones tied to a warrant. That's a permanent, searchable record of where ordinary residents drive, built with zero individualized suspicion, often shared with other agencies or federal programs without local voters ever weighing in. Contract expansion decisions like Bakersfield's deserve public records requests, audit logs, and real retention limits on the table — not just a budget line item.
If you want to see whether ALPR cameras are already watching your commute, check our map, and if your city council is quietly considering a Flock deal, our take-action page has the questions you should be asking before they sign.
This is DeFlock The USA’s original commentary. The video above is the work of KBAK - KBFX - Eyewitness News - BakersfieldNow, published on YouTube — full credit to the creator.