Oakland will renew a contract to keep hundreds of automated license plate-reading cameras on city streets, despite concerns from privacy advocates that footage collected by the system has been shared with federal immigration enforcement agencies.
The Oakland City Council voted 7-to-1 Tuesday to approve a new two-year, $2 million contract with Georgia-based surveillance company Flock Safety, allowing the city to continue operating its network of 290 license plate readers. The agreement also authorizes police to integrate privately owned security cameras into Flock’s system. Council Member Carroll Fife cast the lone dissenting vote.
The California Highway Patrol paid for the installation of the cameras in spring 2024. Oakland police officials say the system has become a critical investigative tool as the department struggles with chronic staffing shortages, exacerbated by the 100 officers currently on administrative leave…