Santa Cruz City Council Terminates Contract With Flock Safety

The Santa Cruz City Council voted 6-1 to terminate its contract with the data brokerage firm Flock. The governing body took action following reports that the company violated state laws and maintained a system vulnerable to hacking, which officials argued exposed the local population to criminal elements.

The decision follows allegations of systemic misuse and security breaches. Reports indicated that Flock executives may have accessed unauthorized third-party cameras at a swimming pool and a gymnastics classroom in Georgia. Further claims surfaced that police used the surveillance cameras to stalk women.

The vote triggered a local political debate. Some critics of the cancellation alleged that opponents were using the city's unsolved crimes to unfairly target political candidate Ami Chen Mills, suggesting a link between the candidate and the decision to remove the surveillance technology.