Council Delays Flock Surveillance Contract After Massive Public Backlash

El Cerrito's City Council pumped the brakes on renewing a controversial license plate reader contract after 27 residents packed the chambers to oppose it, then reluctantly voted to begin converting to district-based elections under legal threat — all while staring down a biennial budget squeezed by soaring insurance costs and potential loss of a key revenue source.

• Flock Safety camera contract punted to May 5 after 27 speakers overwhelmingly urged non-renewal; council demands shorter-term options and invites the ACLU to present
• District elections forced by anonymous CVRA demand letter; council unanimously adopts resolution to transition by 2028 despite calling the process a "shakedown"
• Budget study session flags 19% insurance spike, potential loss of 8–9% of general fund revenue if property transfer tax is banned statewide
• Military equipment ordinance renewed; police seek one additional American-made drone at $15K premium over banned Chinese models
• Measure C senior exemption broadened ahead of June 1 library tax vote, removing reverse-mortgage and equity requirements
• Trail Trekkers press for $113K annually in path signage and maintenance funding, describing years of staff resistance to volunteer projects

The most contested item in years consumed nearly 90 minutes of public testimony and extensive council deliberation as El Cerrito weighed whether to renew its three-year contract with Flock Safety, the Atlanta-based company whose 40 license plate reader cameras dot the city's streets.