Mesa residents raise privacy concerns over Flock Safety cameras

Mesa residents are raising concerns about privacy and police use of Flock Safety cameras, questioning how the technology is used and whether the public is being properly informed about how vehicle information is collected and distributed.

Flock Safety cameras are automated license plate readers that capture vehicle information such as license plate numbers, vehicle characteristics and the location where a vehicle was seen, according to the company’s website. Law enforcement can use this information for criminal investigations and to assist in locating possible suspects.

Jerika Trimble, a community organizer and Mesa resident, raised concerns about resident privacy during the public comment period at a Mesa City Council meeting in September.

“Every time the Flock system is searched, it’s a violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution,” she said.

Trimble questioned whether police officers have misused the technology and said residents should be notified if information collected by the cameras has been used in a way that affects them.

“If people have been stopped, they need to know so that they can protect themselves,” she said.

Trimble said she wants to know whether the system is being used properly and whether residents have a way to find out if their information has been searched.

The technology has become a larger issue in the Valley in recent months. Tempe ended its contract with Flock Safety in August and deactivated its cameras. On Oct. 15, the Tempe City Council voted 6-1 to officially approve an ordinance banning the city’s use of automated license plate readers and destroying existing camera data.

The issue has also gained attention from other Arizona cities. Scottsdale officials are reviewing the city’s Flock camera program following privacy concerns from residents. However, Scottsdale police have defended the technology, highlighting its role in past criminal investigations.

Braden Peters, a Mesa resident and cybersecurity professional, addressed the Chandler City Council during its May 21, 2026, meeting, urging the city not to renew its contract with Flock Safety.

“There’s documented criminal abuses including stalking by law enforcement, and there’s also constructed false charges which further violates community trust,” he said.

Peters also raised concerns about potential legal consequences, arguing that Flock’s contract language could expose the city to liability.

“Flock’s poor contract and terms and conditions language may expose Chandler to legal liability amid constitutional and other legal challenges,” he said.

The different approaches taken by cities in the Valley raised questions about how local governments can regulate automated license plate readers.

Concerns over Flock Safety cameras reflect a broader debate in Arizona about balancing law enforcement technology with individual privacy.

Lily Merenda is a student at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines, https://www.yourvalley.net/civility-checklist/.