On Tuesday, March 24th, Berkeley City Council is considering expanding their contract with Flock, a mass surveillance company that integrates automated license plate readers (ALPR’s), drones, private household cameras, and other personal data. The data that is being collected by Flock is routinely utilized by ICE/DHS, tracks protestors and people accessing reproductive care, and creates a dystopian web of surveillance and control.

While BPD promotes Flock as a public safety tool, in reality, there is no data demonstrating that it deters crime or creates safer communities. It does present an active threat to public safety. In addition to the threat it presents to our immigrant neighbors, people accessing reproductive and gender affirming care, and those practicing their right to free speech, this unregulated private surveillance dragnet is barely secured against access by private citizens. An investigation revealed how Flock camera footage can be accessed in minutes, including accessing footage of children on a playground.

More than 30 cities have already cancelled their contract with Flock, including Mountain View and Santa Cruz here in the Bay Area. As fascism sweeps the nation, it has never been more important to see clear leadership from our City Council in saying no to this proposed expansion.

As residents of a proud Sanctuary City and the home of the free speech movement, we say not in our neighborhoods!