Residents split over Flock Safety cameras as some cite privacy lawsuit, others credit cameras for catching thieves

Several residents used the city’s public‑comment period May 12 to press the City Council to review San Dimas’s contract with Flock Safety, a vendor of license‑plate recognition cameras.

A resident who identified himself as Ray cited a class‑action complaint filed April 3, 2026 and said investigators alleged a national ‘lookup’ tool gave hundreds of law‑enforcement agencies access to a city’s ALPR data without local authorization, potentially violating California’s ALPR privacy rules. He urged the council to investigate cybersecurity safeguards and multi‑factor authentication controls that the lawsuit says Flock lacked.

Other residents, including a neighborhood representative, described recent instances in which Flock camera data helped recover stolen vehicles and identify suspects. That resident said his HOA installed several Flock cameras and recounted a recent stolen‑car recovery in Baldwin Park that led to a return of the vehicle within hours.

The council did not take action on the contract at the meeting. Multiple speakers requested that staff research the allegations and provide a report back to council; councilmembers encouraged residents to submit formal information and noted several other cities have reviewed or paused contracts amid litigation.

The exchanges highlighted sharply different views in the community: advocates described tangible public‑safety benefits in theft deterrence and recovery; critics pointed to the company’s legal exposure and alleged data‑sharing practices. Staff did not present a formal staff‑initiated review or recommendation during the meeting.

Next steps: Residents requested a staff report; councilmembers asked staff to accept written materials and said they would consider bringing the item back for a future review.