Exclusive - OK Gov. Candidate Mike Mazzei: Flock Cameras Should Only Be Used 'for Proper Law Enforcement Work'

A man in a full Darth Vader costume interrupted a San Diego City Council committee meeting this week to mock the city’s Flock surveillance cameras, delivering a theatrical endorsement of the technology under the guise of the Star Wars villain. During a public comment session at the Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee meeting on Wednesday, the costumed speaker referred to himself as “Darth Vader” and claimed the Emperor was a fan of Flock, a company that provides automated license plate recognition systems used by the San Diego Police Department. His remarks included a sarcastic reference to tracking “rebel scum” and identifying “Luke Skywalker” on the icy planet Hoth, drawing laughter from the room. The man, who was addressed by committee staff as “Darth Vader,” used the microphone to deliver lines that echoed both the character’s personality and broader concerns about surveillance. He said the Flock cameras were essential for tracking individuals moving between playgrounds, pools, and gyms, and that he personally needed the technology to “stalk his ex-girlfriend.” This line, which mirrors real-world complaints about misuse of the technology, has sparked national debate. In Reynoldsburg, Ohio, two officers recently resigned amid an investigation into their use of Flock systems to monitor a former domestic partner over 40 times. The incident unfolded amid ongoing controversy surrounding the city’s use of Flock’s surveillance tools. San Diego police have stated that the cameras are deployed exclusively for lawful investigations and that data collected is purged after 30 days unless linked to an open case. However, earlier reports revealed that the department had entered into a separate, undisclosed contract with Flock in December 2025 for a product known as Nova, a platform designed to merge license plate reader data with 911 calls, police records, and other investigative resources. Despite the contract remaining in place, the department has confirmed it has not activated Nova and has no intention of using it. The agreement granted the department access to “open source intelligence” and data from other law enforcement agencies, raising questions about transparency and oversight. The city’s Privacy Advisory Board was reportedly bypassed in the process, as police argued the contract fell outside the scope of the city’s existing surveillance oversight rules. Meanwhile, Flock has responded to growing public concern by announcing plans to reduce its default data retention period from 30 days to just seven days and, by the end of 2026, will require officers to input a case number before accessing its database. These changes come as part of a broader effort to address criticisms of the technology’s potential for abuse. The unidentified man in the Darth Vader costume has not yet been identified, though his appearance at the meeting highlights the polarized views surrounding the use of surveillance technology. Some local activists and city officials have called for alternative solutions, citing increasing public distrust of the cameras. A crowdsourced map maintained by the anti-surveillance group DeFlock lists additional camera locations beyond the 500 officially documented ones, though these are not part of the city’s official inventory. Flock’s systems, which include automated license plate readers, video cameras, and audio-detection devices, collect detailed vehicle information such as make, model, color, and sometimes distinctive features like bumper stickers or modifications. While the San Diego Police Department maintains that the technology serves legitimate law enforcement purposes, the recent incident underscores the tension between technological advancement and civil liberties. As debates over privacy and surveillance continue to unfold, the role of companies like Flock in shaping modern policing practices remains a contentious issue.