Pasadena Expands Flock Network to 73 Cameras as Residents Demand Transparency, Limits

Pasadena police have mapped a 61-camera Flock license plate reader (ALPR) network across the city and plan to install 12 more devices at three intersections, citing investigative benefits and promising strict data retention policies.

The expansion, funded by grants, will place four cameras each at San Gabriel Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard, Los Robles Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard, and Altadena Drive and Foothill Boulevard.

Lt. Carlo Montiglio, the system administrator, told the Community Police Oversight Commission on Thursday night that the fixed cameras are distributed based on traffic flows and crime patterns, though Districts 4 and 7 currently have none. He emphasized that the system does not use facial recognition, does not track speed, and is not used for traffic enforcement. Instead, it supports investigations and real-time alerts for hot-listed vehicles.

“There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t use Flock in some sort of investigative or enforcement capacity,” Montiglio said, referencing recent cases involving a sexual assault arrest, a carjacking, and a reckless motorcycle pursuit.

Montiglio assured commissioners that data are retained for only 30 days unless exported to the department’s evidence system. Access is limited to sworn officers, dispatchers, and crime analysts, all of whom must be approved by an administrator and provide a case number for searches. Monthly audits track who searched, what was queried, and the case tie-in.

The department said it shares data only with local and in-state agencies, with out-of-state sharing disabled by Flock for California.

“We do not share any Flock database information with ICE,” Montiglio said, adding that Flock has no contracts with the Department of Homeland Security or Border Patrol.

Residents and commissioners pressed for clearer metrics and policy guardrails. One commenter called for public disclosure of read counts, hot-list alerts, and outcomes such as stops, arrests, or case clearances.

“Really this is mass surveillance,” she said.

Montiglio acknowledged the lack of formal performance metrics and said staff are working with Flock to better capture investigative outcomes. He referenced a multi-year lease valued at over $600,000, approved by the City Council, with a term of four or five years.

Independent Police Auditor Theresa Magula stressed the importance of usage audits, public reporting, and clear policies as surveillance tools evolve. Commissioners said they may explore standardized monthly or quarterly reporting and district-level analyses to address equity concerns.

Police describe the ALPR system as a force multiplier, with access controls, automatic data purging, and safeguards against impermissible searches in place.