Scottsdale adds safeguards for Flock license plate cameras after resident pushback

Scottsdale city leaders are promising new oversight measures for the city's Flock license plate reader cameras following resident pushback demanding public debate over the surveillance technology. The city manager and police chief sent a memo to council members outlining safeguards, including an independent audit, an ordinance on criminal penalties for misuse, and a public transparency website. Leaders will also evaluate alternative vendors and review the current six-month data retention period. Residents at a recent council meeting questioned the lack of public discussion on the cameras, citing privacy concerns and noting that Chandler and Tempe ended their Flock contracts. Scottsdale spends over $281,000 annually on 85 cameras, which have become a campaign issue for November's council election.