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Santa Cruz Votes to End Flock License-Plate Reader Deal After Out-of-State Access Revealed

The 6–1 decision follows reports that ICE accessed local ALPR data in ways critics say conflict with California’s SB 34.

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At Tuesday afternoon’s meeting, the Santa Cruz City Council Chambers were full of people in favor of terminating the city’s contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate readers. Many held signs proclaiming “Get the Flock Out” or “Vote no on ALPR” (automated license plate readers). (Caroline Hemphill – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
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Overview

  • Santa Cruz is the first city in California to terminate a Flock Safety contract, according to civil-liberties advocates.
  • The termination can take effect with 30 days’ notice, as early as Feb. 12, and the original contract was set to expire March 27.
  • Police Chief Bernie Escalante confirmed out-of-state access to the city’s ALPR data, and officials temporarily limited external access during a review.
  • Advocates including Get the Flock Out report roughly 4,000 state-level queries between June and October 2025 on behalf of federal agencies, including ICE, raising SB 34 compliance concerns.
  • Flock says data sharing can be restricted through configurable controls; the city says any future system would require stronger local control as more municipalities reassess or cancel similar deals.