By admin 
SAN LUIS, AZ (AZFamily) — The San Luis Police Department has been using Flock Safety license plate reader cameras since 2021, Police Chief Nigel Reynoso revealed during a special city council meeting Wednesday, as community members raised concerns about surveillance and data privacy.
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The debate escalated over the weekend after the San Luis Police Department posted a video on social media showing a driver doing donuts in the street and asked the public to help identify the suspect. The post prompted the San Luis City Council to add the technology to the special meeting agenda.
What the city is running
San Luis currently operates seven license plate readers alongside 17 video cameras. During the meeting, Reynoso highlighted specific cases where Flock cameras have aided police investigations and said they’re a crucial tool for keeping streets safe and solving crimes.
Community divided
However, not everyone in the city agrees.
“It’s kind of an invasion of privacy,” said San Luis resident Azul Duran, who expressed mixed feelings about the surveillance. “I feel like they should put more funding in other things rather than just cameras.”
Others in the community argue the cameras are vital for public safety. Juan Carlos Palacios, who has lived in San Luis for 20 years, welcomes the added surveillance.
“I have seen violent situations in this town; that is why I feel safe that this town has them all over,” Palacios said.
Another resident noted the practical benefits: “The security the cameras give with an investigation of a crash or an incident, cameras help.”
What the chief said about footage and access
Reynoso addressed several community questions about the technology at the meeting, including how long footage is stored and which agencies can access it.
He said footage is automatically purged after 30 days. However, if an officer pulls video for an active investigation, that footage is stored until the case is closed.
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When asked about access by other law enforcement agencies, Reynoso said the department handles requests in one of two ways.
“If they don’t already have access to our cameras then we will do a search based on the information they are requesting and then we will provide that information,” Reynoso said. “And the other way is that they already have access to them, and they are able to search it on their own.”
Community not notified before installation
Reynoso acknowledged the department did not inform the community before the cameras were installed.
He emphasized that any officer who misuses or unlawfully accesses footage will face disciplinary action, up to and including termination. He said residents with questions or concerns can contact the department directly.
Regional and statewide picture
The debate in San Luis reflects a growing statewide conversation regarding automated surveillance. While Arizona State University recently confirmed its adoption of Flock technology, other cities like Flagstaff and Sedona recently chose to cancel their contracts due to privacy concerns.
Yuma County law enforcement agencies continue to embrace the systems, with neighboring Wellton and Somerton also utilizing Flock cameras.
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