The Santa Barbara City Council on Tuesday chose to hold off on a vote to replace the city’s twelve Flock Safety license‑plate reader cameras. Council members said the extra time will let community members and experts examine the privacy, data‑security and surveillance implications of a proposed Verkada system.
Background on the current system
Santa Barbara’s contract with Flock Safety expired after the city used the cameras to aid police investigations, locate stolen vehicles and identify suspect cars. City staff recommended swapping the aging equipment for twelve new license‑plate readers supplied by Verkada, a company that says its platform keeps data under municipal control rather than sharing it on a broader network.
Public input and concerns
During a packed council meeting, local activists warned that another contract could expand what they described as a “mass surveillance system.” Marcy Winograd urged councilmembers not to “plunge into another contract that threatens the privacy of our people.” Residents echoed fears that federal agencies or hackers could breach the system and expose personal information, putting the community at risk.
Police Chief Kelly Gordon acknowledged that Verkada experienced data breaches in 2020 and 2021, but she noted the company has made “significant security changes” since then. Gordon emphasized the investigative value of the technology, citing cases where a license plate was the key piece of evidence in kidnapping and other serious crimes.
Support for the technology
Not all voices were opposed. Robin Elander of the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association told the council that police need reliable tools to “prevent and solve crimes for our community.” Councilmember Oscar Gutierrez said residents in his district have been asking for additional security since 2018, and many view the cameras as a needed deterrent.
Council’s next steps
Councilmember Kristen Sneddon framed the debate as more than a policing issue, describing it as a question of data‑breach risk, federal overreach and regional overreach. Councilmember Eric Friedman said he is open to revisiting the city’s policy governing license‑plate reader technology.
Ultimately, the council voted to postpone any decision on the Verkada contract, allowing more time for public comment and for officials to explore alternative solutions. The discussion is expected to continue as Santa Barbara balances the safety advantages of license‑plate readers with the community’s desire for strong privacy protections.
What this means for residents
For now, the existing Flock Safety cameras remain in place, and the police department will continue using them while the council deliberates. Citizens are encouraged to submit written comments, attend future council meetings and stay informed about any policy updates that may affect how automated license‑plate recognition technology is used in Santa Barbara.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
