09/17/2026
COMMUNITY ALERT: SRPD FLOCK CAMERA MEETING IS TOMORROW
The Santa Rosa Police Department is holding a public meeting tomorrow regarding its use of Flock automated license plate reader cameras.
WHEN: Thursday, September 17 at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Utility Field Office, 35 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa
Flock cameras can be valuable tools for investigating homicides, kidnappings, robberies, organized retail theft and other serious crimes. We are not calling for the cameras to be removed. We believe this technology can help solve crimes, but powerful surveillance tools must come with transparency, strict oversight and real accountability.
According to SRPD, its Flock cameras collect vehicle information and do not identify people, faces, race or gender. The department says the information is retained for 30 days, every search requires a case or event number and use of the system is regularly audited.
Those safeguards need to be examined publicly.
Communities throughout California have raised serious concerns about unauthorized searches, improper data sharing and misuse of Flock systems. Several law enforcement agencies have suspended, ended or reconsidered their programs.
A San Jose police officer was recently fired after officials said he accessed Flock data without authorization and shared a domestic violence victim’s location with his relative, who was accused of abusing her. Mountain View shut off its Flock cameras after discovering that federal and other unauthorized agencies had access to its information. LAPD also suspended its use of Flock over concerns involving privacy, security, control and data sharing.
Concerns about transparency have also been heightened by the recent Sonoma Plaza homicide case. The Sonoma Police Department and Santa Rosa Police Department are separate agencies. However, in our opinion, the initial public narrative released about the Sonoma Plaza incident did not fully reflect what was later visible in the video.
When law enforcement agencies control surveillance technology and the information released to the public, transparency becomes more important than ever.
Tomorrow’s meeting is an opportunity for everyone to ask questions directly, hear the answers and demand clear safeguards.
HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE WOULD ASK CHIEF JOHN CREGAN:
Chief Cregan, before becoming chief, while working investigations involving gangs, narcotics, violent crimes or similar offenses, did you ever use or participate in the use of a StingRay or another cell-site simulator to identify or locate a suspect without first obtaining a search warrant signed by a judge?
Was supervisory or internal departmental authorization ever used instead of a judicial warrant?
Was any cell-site simulator available to SRPD capable of obtaining or intercepting the contents of telephone calls, text messages or other communications? If so, was that capability ever used, and what authorization was required?
Did you ever use, install, request or participate in placing a GPS or another electronic tracking device on a vehicle or other property without first receiving authorization from a judge?
If departmental or supervisory authorization was used instead, what legal standard or level of evidence was required, and how did it differ from obtaining a warrant based on probable cause?
While working with or receiving assistance from the FBI North Bay Regional Gang Task Force, also known as the Safe Streets Task Force, did you or SRPD have access to federal surveillance or tracking technology operating under different authorization, disclosure or retention requirements?
Have you ever been questioned under oath regarding your use or knowledge of any of these technologies?
If so, did you ever invoke your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and decline to answer?
Separately, did you ever decline to answer because the information was considered classified, privileged, protected by a federal nondisclosure agreement, related to national security or considered a sensitive investigative method?
Following an arrest or during court proceedings, were you ever questioned about how a suspect was located and stated that a StingRay, GPS tracker or another tracking technology was used only to corroborate or verify information investigators had already received?
Some of these questions are based on information provided to our page alleging past misuse of investigative technology. We have not independently verified those allegations, and we are not presenting them as established facts. We are bringing the questions directly to Chief Cregan and providing him with an opportunity to respond publicly.
If any surveillance technology was previously used without appropriate judicial oversight, how can the community trust that Flock cameras and the information they collect will not be misused?
What prevents an officer from searching the system for personal reasons?
Who reviews each search, and how frequently are the audit records examined?
Will SRPD publicly identify every agency authorized to access Santa Rosa’s Flock information?
Can federal agencies, out-of-state departments or private organizations access the information directly or indirectly?
Will SRPD notify the public if unauthorized access, an improper search or a policy violation is discovered?
What discipline applies when an officer misuses the system?
Will SRPD publish regular reports showing how frequently Flock is searched, the types of crimes investigated, how often searches produce useful evidence and how many policy violations are discovered?
We also sincerely hope that asking these questions does not place a target on our backs or result in surveillance, selective enforcement or retaliation by anyone within SRPD.
These are legitimate concerns brought to us by members of the community. We are exercising our right to bring them directly to the department and request clear answers.
Flock cameras may help solve serious crimes, but public safety and privacy do not have to be enemies. The community deserves both.
Spanish interpreters will be available. Requests for additional language assistance, disability-related accommodations or other support may be directed to [email protected] or 707-543-3556.
Meeting information: https://alrt.se/u/7RRKfZsjR0A
Show up, ask questions and make your voice heard.
