Even with the Police Chief is highlighting a real-time human trafficking case in the city Tuesday night, the Richmond City Council failed to take action on its FLOCK Safety contract extension.
With a contract expired February 28, 2026, the Richmond Police Department was seeking direction for a contract extension until December 31, 2026 and then re-evaluate—it would also allow the police department to turn the cameras back on after being assured that outside agencies cannot access the license plate data—as well as other features being removed to ensure more safety and transparency.
After more than 50 public comments, the council failed to take action as the meeting limit was reached. Councilmember Cesar Zepeda motioned to pause the meeting and continue it Wednesday morning so a decision could be made—the motion was seconded by Jamelia Brown. However, the motion failed with Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson and Claudia Jimenez voting against. Soheila Bana voted with Zependa and Brown to continue.
“With the last 60 seconds I would like to highlight we have a young person who is trafficked who is phone is pinging in our city and this is what we chose to do,” stated Brown. “So I want that to sit on your goodnight”.
The meeting ended and its unclear when the FLOCK ALPR System item will return.
Presentation Overview
According to the police department, the city’s contract with FLOCK was set to expire on February 28, 2026.
The Council was asked to consider two transitional options to extend the existing contract through December 31, 2026. Given the influx in criminal activity since the Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) System has been disabled, staff recommends Option A, which is to approve a contract extension through December 31, 2026 that allows the City to continue the Flock CCTV system, Flock Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program and reinstate the Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system with the understanding that the program would return to the Council for re-evaluation and consideration prior to the end of the extension. Option B is to approve a contract extension through December 31, 2026 that continues the Flock CCTV system and DFR program but not the ALPR system.
Chief Tim Simmons explained there is no additional financial impact on either option in the staff report due to incumbered funds – this was an extension to add time, not funds from the original approved contract.
- $575k remaining in the contract balance
- $122,300 encumbered (pending invoices)
- $300k Drone DFR payment due in November
- $54,800 for Public Works/Abatement
- Continue maintenance and support for the Flock CCTV
- Continue the use of FLOCK ALPR system (option to turn on or keep off)
What is Flock ALPR: Camera use computer vision and machine learning to automatically capture a still photo of a vehicle license plate and related vehicle characteristics (make, model, color and other distinguishing features) then provide real-time alerts and searchable databases to help law enforcement and secure partners investigate, deter, and solve crime.
What is not captured by ALPR: personal identifying information such as race, gender, etc. Does not capture facial information. Does not capture audio or visual.
According to the police department, because they provide dispatch and records to El Cerrito Police, the El Cerrito Police Department is the only agency that Richmond Police Department shares its ALPR data. Outside agencies may opt to share their ALPR data with Richmond, but Richmond does not share its ALPR date with any other agencies other than El Cerrito.
Data: From April 18, 2023, to November 19, 2025, there were 274 arrests, 41 license plates recovered, 259 vehicles recovered, and 911 criminal case assists using the Flock ALPR system to generate additional leads. Since Flock ALPR was deactivated as of November 2025, vehicle thefts have increased approximately 33%.
Chief Timmons explained when the national lookup feature within FLOCK was active, he made the decision to turn off the cameras in November and has kept them off until he was able to make a presentation to the council – the feature has since been removed by FLOCK on California systems. He also was aware of the privacy concerns.
He also pointed out to a Key Contract Amendment which states:
“In the event FLOCK causes an Unauthorized sharing, Flock shall pay to Customer, as a penalty, the sum of Two Hundred Ninety Thousand ($290,000) per violation. For purposes of this section, a “violation” means a single, discrete act or incident of unauthorized disclosure or access resulting from FLOCK’s conduct, irascible of the volume or number of records, cameras, or data elements involved in that same act of incident.”
He said should the council choose to discontinue the FLOCK safety contract, it would mean removal of all ALPR cameras, removal of installed CCTV cameras and removal of DFR equipment.
Timmons said the next steps that he was approve a contract extension through Dec. 31, 2026 and turn back on the Flock ALPR cameras and then return back in December to reflect and re-evaluate the Flock Safety contract.
They had 33-in person public comments and 21 online speakers on the item.
Mayor Eduardo Martinez pointed out the community was speaking on two different things being surveillance, and then FLOCK and they need to focus on FLOCK because they are talking about the contract with FLOCK.
“The issue before us is also safety and trust when it comes to protecting our most vulnerable communities. That trust has been broken, that is shame on FLOCK. If we choose to trust them again and it happens again, then that shame is on us as leaders of the community, stated Martinez. “The stakes of these mistakes are too large, too impactful and too life altering to put our people at risk any further.”
Martinez also claimed FLOCK inadequately or inaccurately described what they were capable of doing to the city.
“I don’t think they can be trusted,” stated Martinez. “Especially when you consider their activities in other cities.”
With time running out of the meeting, the council failed to take a vote, extend the meeting or continue to the next day. It was left unclear when the item could return.
Tim Simmons, Chief of Police, opened the presentation with a statement.
“Before I begin my formal remarks on this item, I want to speak briefly from my heart. Not just as a police chief, but as a member of this community. As somebody who has family who lives in this community, immigrant family who lives in this community. My highest priorities have always been clear, protect the safety of our residents and improving the quality of life in our neighborhood and ensuring everyone who lives and visits Richmond can do so safely and confidently. Public safety is not just about responding to crime, it is about creating an environment where families feel secure, businesses can thrive and community can gather without fear.
I also want to acknowledge something that is important at the outset, I understand that FLOCK safety and the technology that they manufacture can be polarizing and controversial. Conversations about surveillance and privacy and government authority are deeply personal and at times emotional. Those concerns re real and they deserve respect and as a police chief in this city I take them seriously.
I firmly believe that there is a path forward where we can protect our residents from physical harm while also safeguarding their privacy while guarding against emotional harm and mistrust. Public safety and civil liberties are not mutual exclusive ideas, in fact, they must coexist if we are to maintain the trust that is foundational for effective policing. I am confident that this commitment to both safety and Constitutional protections is something the city council and the police department share.
As we move forward through this item tonight, my goal is to ensure we approach this thoughtfully, transparently and in a way that reflects our shared values and community spirit.
Documents
- 2026-03-03 (prsnt) Flock Safety Fourth Contract Amendment.pdf
- Attachment 1 – RPD Flock ALPR Policy 433.pdf
- Attachment 2 – RPD CCTV Policy 341.pdf
- Attachment 3 – RPD Unmanned Aerial System Policy 607.pdf
- Attachment 4 – Flock Safety Bay Area Service Coverage Map.pdf
- Attachment 5 – January 2025 to November 2025 City of Richmond F
- Attachment 6 – Flock Safety Service Contract with all amendments.
- Attachment 7 – Flock Safety Service Contract (proposed amendme
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