Flock cameras are still up in El Cerrito despite City Council vote to remove them

Although the El Cerrito City Council voted May 5 to end its contract with Flock, and the Police Department reported all the cameras were shut down on June 6, the cameras have not been removed. Some residents have let the city know they are not happy with that through emails, written comments submitted in connection with the July 21 council meeting, as well as in-person at the meeting.

One speaker said she does not feel safe as long as the cameras are up. Some writers were skeptical that the cameras are actually off and asked the city to physically cover them, possibly with plastic bags.

Although the Flock cameras were not on the agenda, City Manager Karen Pinkos addressed the matter early in the meeting under staff communications.

“We have been in constant contact with Flock so that they may give us a firm timeline for removing all of the cameras,” she said. Pinkos said Flock told the city that there is a work order in. “We have requested that this be expedited,” she said.

“We do know the cameras have been turned off. We do not have access to them. And we have confirmed with our neighboring agencies that they do not have access to them.”

Pinkos said the contract between Flock and the city does not have a timeline for removal and states the city cannot remove the cameras. In addition, she said the city does not have the staff or equipment to do so.

“We know how important this is to the community. We will continue to contact them until they are removed.”

Gabe Quinto, who along with Carolyn Wysinger voted against the camera removal, urged neighbors to look out for one another.

“Before Flock, El Cerrito had one of the highest property crime rates because they know the city and our residents order things online big time,” he said.

Following the city’s decision to cancel the Flock contract, the Police Department issued a statement saying:

“The three-year contract with Flock Safety coincided with a period of significant crime reduction in El Cerrito. During that period (2022-2025):

“Robberies fell 20%, to the second lowest level in 40 years.

“Burglaries fell 41%, to the lowest level in 40 years.

“Vehicle theft fell 52%, to the lowest level in 40 years.

“License plate reading cameras played a large role in making these outstanding outcomes possible. The city does not have plans to replace the system and officers no longer have access to this powerful investigative tool.”

Article about the decision to cancel Flock on Livable El Cerrito