El Cerrito Flock cameras to be removed over next few weeks

1 August 2026. [AI first draft. Verify every fact against the source before publishing.]

El Cerrito's police department announced that Flock Safety is beginning removal of the city's license plate reading cameras following the city council's decision not to renew the contract. The council's vote came after public pressure from residents earlier in 2026. The police department stated that Flock has issued work orders to remove the cameras between July 30 and August 18, with the process expected to take several weeks.

The contract expiration occurred on June 6, 2026, when all cameras were decommissioned. Community members had expressed concerns about the flickering infrared lights on the devices, and some requested that the city cover the cameras while awaiting removal. Flock confirmed that the cameras are not collecting or capturing images and have not done so since the contract expired. The police department clarified that the infrared light activation residents observed is motion-triggered but unrelated to any data collection.

Opposition to the cameras centered on privacy concerns and reports that federal agencies, including ICE, had gained access to the city's camera network without prior knowledge or authorization. The police chief had previously characterized the cameras as effective for tracking suspects. Some community members argued the cameras' surveillance capabilities posed unacceptable privacy risks, while others, including local business owners, supported the technology as a crime deterrent and investigation tool.

Residents can check their own city's camera contracts by reviewing council meeting minutes, records requests for Flock agreements, and renewal dates posted on municipal websites.

Read the original reporting: NBC Bay Area.

Related record: El Cerrito, California in the jurisdictions directory.