South City Moves to Replace Flock Cameras After Nationwide Data Lookups

South San Francisco is shopping for a new license plate reader vendor after police disclosed that the city's Flock Safety cameras were included in nationwide data lookups for more than a year. On a 3-1 vote Oct. 28, 2026, the City Council directed staff to run a request for proposals (RFP), even though a contract dispute keeps Flock in place through August 2027.

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• Council orders ALPR vendor RFP 3-1 after Flock data surfaced in nationwide lookups.
• City bound to Flock until Aug. 19, 2027; early exit would cost about $20,000.
• Grand Jury response approved 4-0 after residents pull it from consent.
• Zeta Drive neighbors seek $1,300 refund; three members signal interest in agendizing it.
• New naming and donations policy adopted 4-0, unblocking five pending requests.
• Police report ICE detention on Commercial Avenue with no advance notice.

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Flock Fallout: Council Starts the Search for a New Vendor

Why it matters: The council is weighing a tool police credit with real results against privacy breaches and a vendor contract the city can't easily exit. The safeguards members demanded will shape how residents' movement data is handled for years.

Where things stand: Captain Anthony Pinell of the South San Francisco Police Department walked through the fixed-mount automated license plate reader (ALPR) program. It launched in November 2022 with monthly audits and a 30-day retention period recommended by the ACLU. He credited it with 163 arrests, 109 recovered vehicles and nine firearms.

Then came the disclosure. A July 2026 Public Records Act request prompted an audit. "It was discovered that our Flock system was included in a nationwide lookup feature from January of 2024 until March of 2025," said Pinell. The system also sat in a statewide lookup until August 2025. He said there were no ICE queries, but several out-of-state agencies entered search reasons containing the term "ICE."

The contract trap: Staff found dueling Flock contracts, one ending Sept. 8 and one ending Aug. 19, 2027. A consolidated agreement never went through the city attorney's office. The city attorney said staff will bring a bridge agreement in November. "I think we would have a strong case to take the position that it is not a valid contract," said the City Attorney, while warning the cameras would likely go dark.

Flock refused month-to-month or six-month terms. Ending early costs $500 per camera, or about $20,000. Staff priced competing vendors at $2,000 to $3,000 per camera per year, compared with Flock's $3,000. Mayor Mark Addiego voiced frustration with Flock's stance, describing the company as "kind of putting the squeeze on us."

The other side: Vice Mayor Mark Nagales wanted out fast. "I don't want to be associated with them any longer," he said. He also asked that new contracts allow "immediate termination of a contract if it's a breach of contract."

Councilmember James Coleman said he was conflicted and doubted other vendors would behave differently. "I don't think we should rush this," he said. He listed safeguards, including that "data needs to be owned by the city and cannot be used by vendors even for secondary purposes."

Councilmember Buenaflor Nicolas asked whether future vendors could be held liable for breaches. The city attorney noted that SB 34, the state ALPR law, binds law enforcement agencies, not vendors: "It does not apply to Flock or other ALPR service providers."

A public commenter named Austin argued the technology itself is the problem. He urged the council to let the Flock contract lapse and skip the RFP entirely.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Nagales moved and Nicolas seconded. For: 3 (Addiego, Nagales, Nicolas). Against: 1 (Coleman). Absent: 1 (Flores). Police keep a crime-solving tool for now. Privacy advocates get a competitive process but no immediate shutdown. Vendors face a city now demanding breach termination, penalties, city data ownership and tighter access controls.

What's next: Staff proposed publishing the RFP no later than Jan. 30, 2027, and reporting back by April 30, 2027. A Flock bridge agreement is expected in November.

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Grand Jury Response Pulled, Then Approved

Why it matters: The city's formal answer to the San Mateo County Grand Jury report, "Is Our Flock of ALPR Cameras Properly Tended?", sets compliance commitments on data sharing.

Where things stand: Public commenter Jeremy LeBate asked the council to pull the item from consent. He wanted the response to Finding 6 amended so the cameras are disabled until the Flock contract complies with the law, rather than remaining noncompliant until August 2027. Stephanie Campos, an alternate on the Public Safety and Equity Commission speaking for herself, urged canceling Flock outright. She cited Flock's agreement with U.S. Border Patrol and other cities' cancellations. Mayor Addiego pulled the item.

Pinell outlined four recommendations: preserve raw audit data, add vendor language barring third-party sharing, explain the sharing process and adopt written sharing criteria. He said the city did better than most. On the contract language, he said, "We have spoken with Flock and we are having that language added to this current agreement." The city attorney said she would check what penalties apply under SB 34.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Nagales moved. For: 4 (Addiego, Nagales, Nicolas, Coleman). Absent: 1 (Flores). Staff said the contract fix could come in weeks rather than in August 2027, but LeBate's request to switch off the cameras was not adopted.

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Zeta Drive Neighbors Want Halloween Fee Relief

Why it matters: A refund and a new low-cost permit category could set precedent for neighborhood events citywide.

Where things stand: Three Zeta Drive residents described a five-year-old, free Halloween block party. Mike Taniguchi cited more than $2,000 in candy and safety planning that includes a 15-foot emergency lane. Michael Bald said police, fire and insurance costs reached about $1,300 after staff reductions, which he thanked them for. He asked the council to waive or reimburse the costs and create a streamlined permit for non-commercial celebrations. Third-generation neighbor Sean Wilkinson said the effort is about giving children memories.

The item wasn't on the agenda. The city attorney said another city had run a similar pilot and that a future item "could include a refund of fees paid for this particular permit." Staff noted they are working on a special event permit handbook.

What's next: Three members are needed to agendize the request. Addiego, Coleman and Nagales indicated interest. "She said 3 people could indicate, and I'm one of them," said Addiego.

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One Policy for Naming, Gifts and Sponsorships

Why it matters: Naming of city facilities had been suspended, leaving five requests pending. The new policy gives the city a path to answer them.

Where things stand: Deputy City Manager Megan Woolley-Ousdahl said staff combined separate policies after a September review by the council's naming subcommittee. Under the new process, the council opens an application period by resolution. Staff and the subcommittee then review applications, followed by a 30-day public comment period and advisory board review. Honorees must show extraordinary service for at least 10 years, historical significance or major philanthropy. Renaming is discouraged.

On gifts, "the city manager could accept donations of $5,000 or less, and then any donation exceeding $5,000 would be brought forward to council for consideration," said Woolley-Ousdahl. Sponsorship and capital campaign guidelines are also new.

The other side: "I just generally don't believe in naming facilities or buildings or anything after people," said Coleman, though he voted yes. Nagales asked about current applicants and community financial participation. Nicolas praised the policy's guardrails. No members of the public spoke.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Nicolas moved and Nagales seconded. For: 4 (Addiego, Nagales, Nicolas, Coleman). Absent: 1 (Flores).

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ICE Detention on Commercial Avenue

School Board Member Mina Richardson asked the council for a message to the community after reports of ICE activity in town. She cited worry about people going to vote.

Pinell said police received a call at about 4:20 p.m. Agents detained a person on the 300 block of Commercial Avenue and left the truck blocking an intersection. Police helped the family recover the vehicle and had not yet heard back from ICE. "There was no prior indication or alert to our department that this type of enforcement action was going to take place in the middle of our community," he said.

Citing the rapid response hotline, Coleman said, "This was a targeted operation. It was not a raid." He said agents had left and the family was connected to legal and financial support. He urged residents to verify sightings before posting.

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Minor Items

• Grand Boulevard Initiative Phase III accepted as complete at a total construction cost of $4.75M (consent, 4-0).
• $488,274.93 Freightliner crane truck purchase from U-Rock Utility Equipment approved on consent, 4-0.
• Bigbelly Solar renewal for 25 smart waste stations through Oct. 31, 2031, not to exceed $365,471.76.
• October proclamations honored Bay Area Cancer Connections and CORA, which reported serving 151 residents and providing $91,000+ in aid.
• Election allegations: Public commenters Sam Cicuti and District 3 candidate Sophia Saris accused Coleman and Flores of improper election conduct; council did not respond.

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Looking Ahead

The Parking Place Commission holds a special meeting Nov. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the Economic Advancement Center. It follows a 25% downtown metered rate increase and $10 monthly permit hike that took effect Oct. 9. NovaWorks job counselors are now at South San Francisco Adult Education on the first and third Thursdays.

Coleman asked staff to consider an AI safety plan, a comment letter on a possible 2030 census immigration-status question and visibility fixes for Safe Routes to School curb islands. Resident Mary Russi asked that the islands at Comerwood and Ponderosa be removed. The council honored Dolores Huerta, adjourned in memory of Gina Ramirez and recessed to closed session on two litigation matters.