Flock “Donated” Cameras to Altadena After the Fires. Now, Residents Want them gone

FEATURING MOHAMMAD TAJFAR - In the weeks and months following the devastating Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, dozens of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras operated and run by a little-known company called Flock, were installed in burned out neighborhoods, apparently to tackle looting. The company apparently donated the cameras.

Just over a year later, a majority of Altadena residents oppose the use of such technology, in line with mass public opposition across the country where Flock cameras are now widely deployed. 

Mohammad Tajsar is the Director of Immigrants’ Rights at the ACLU of Southern California, where he works to advance the rights and dignity of immigrants and immigrants’ rights activists. He also works to protect individuals’ digital rights against government surveillance and corporate misconduct. He spoke with Sonali Kolhatkar about ALPR cameras in Altadena.