Half Moon Bay to end Flock camera contract

Our Take

KRON4's Joey Horta reports that Half Moon Bay is moving to end its contract with Flock Safety, and if that holds, it's a real data point in a fight that often feels like it only moves in one direction — toward more cameras, more vendors, and more quiet renewals nobody notices until the system is already entrenched. A city council deciding to walk away from an ALPR contract is exactly the kind of local accountability story that doesn't get enough attention next to the splashier "new rollout" headlines.

We don't know yet whether this is about cost, performance, civil liberties concerns, or some combination, and we're not going to speculate past what's reported. But the broader pattern is worth naming: these contracts are not permanent fixtures. They come up for renewal, they get scrutinized by budget committees, and sometimes residents and council members decide the surveillance isn't worth what it costs — financially or otherwise. That's leverage anyone can use.

If you live somewhere with an active or pending Flock contract, this is the moment to show up to a council meeting, ask for the audit logs, or just find out who's watching your plates. Check our camera map to see what's already deployed near you, and if you want to push back where you live, our take action page has concrete steps.