"On Tuesday, the city's leaders voted down a $2 million contract with Flock Safety, the company that operates Oakland's existing camera systems, after hundreds rallied against the threat of immigration authorities and other federal law enforcement spying on residents, bypassing the city's sanctuary policies. The issue has grown so contentious that two members of the local Privacy Advisory Commission resigned last week - and one subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Oakland Police Department."
"The Oakland City Council had seemed prepared to ignore the commission's advice and buy an upgraded set of Flock's cameras for roughly $2 million. But in a 2-2 vote following a tense, dramatic meeting, a committee of council members failed to advance the contract to a final decision. Police leaders had sought for the city to operate the cameras itself, arguing the added surveillance could fill in the gaps as OPD's officer staffing levels decline."
Oakland leaders voted down a $2 million contract with Flock Safety after large public opposition rooted in concerns that immigration and federal law enforcement could access license-plate camera data, bypassing sanctuary protections. Two members of the local Privacy Advisory Commission resigned and one filed a lawsuit against the Oakland Police Department. Nearly 300 cameras are already installed, with the California Highway Patrol operating them since last year under the governor's orders. Police argued city-run cameras would cover gaps amid declining OPD staffing. Councilmember Charlene Wang proposed penalties if Flock allowed other agencies access, but a committee deadlocked 2-2.
Read at The Mercury News
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