Santa Barbara votes to remove Flock Safety cameras

26 August 2026.

Santa Barbara city officials voted to remove the Flock Safety automatic license plate reader cameras that had been deployed in the city. The decision reflects growing concerns about the surveillance technology among council members and community stakeholders. Rather than immediately committing to a replacement system, the council chose to delay that determination, creating space for further evaluation of alternatives. The removal of the existing cameras marks a shift in the city's approach to automated vehicle tracking infrastructure. Council members indicated they would examine other options before deciding whether to implement any new surveillance technology. The timing and specifics of the camera removal, as well as the timeline for evaluating replacement systems, remain to be determined. The vote signals that Santa Barbara is reconsidering its stance on automated license plate readers after a period of deployment. Residents and officials had raised questions about the privacy implications and oversight mechanisms surrounding Flock cameras. By deferring the replacement decision, the city bought time to assess community input and technical alternatives. Interested parties can check Santa Barbara city council records and meeting minutes to see how the council's discussion unfolded and what criteria officials identified for evaluating future systems.

Read the original reporting: edhat.