In the heart of Costa Mesa, a heated debate is unfolding over the use of automated license plate readers commonly known as Flock cameras. These devices, designed to aid law enforcement, have become a focal point of controversy after a local officer misused them to stalk women, including his wife and romantic rivals. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about privacysurveillance and the role of technology in modern policing.
Flock Cameras: A Tool for Law Enforcement or a Threat to Privacy?
The city of Costa Mesa has deployed 46 Flock cameras strategically across town, with the primary goal of monitoring entry and exit points to aid criminal investigations. According to a staff report presented to the city council, these cameras are instrumental in recovering stolen vehicles, apprehending wanted suspects, and locating missing persons. The technology has been in use for over 15 years, with advancements making it more affordable and prevalent among law enforcement agencies.
Flock cameras utilize artificial intelligence to analyze photos of vehicles and capture data, claiming a 93% accuracy rate in capturing license plates. However, this technology has not been without criticism. Innocent people have been falsely accused of crimes when the system has provided incorrect information. Despite these concerns, city staff members are recommending the continuation of the contract with Flock, citing the system’s effectiveness in reducing crime locally.
The Stalking Scandal That Ignited the Debate
The recent controversy surrounding Flock cameras in Costa Mesa was sparked by the actions of Robert Jay Josett a former officer with the Costa Mesa Police Department. Josett was accused of using the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System database and Flock cameras to stalk women, including his mistress, someone she dated, and his own wife. Beginning in 2026, Josett made 13 inquiries on people and vehicles not related to his job, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Josett continued to illegally access data from the Flock cameras in 2026, even after losing his job at the police department. He used the information to find the address of his mistress’ new boyfriend in Torrance. In April, Josett pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors, including unauthorized computer access and fraud related to illegally accessing the police department’s license plate reader system.
The Community’s Response
The stalking scandal has galvanized Costa Mesa residents, who have been vocal at council meetings and through emails, demanding that the city end its contract with Flock. Priscilla Rocco a Costa Mesa resident, expressed her concerns in an email to the council, stating, “This FLOCK system tracks our daily movements and stores them in a database, to be searched on demand without reasonable suspicion or warrants. This is a massive invasion of privacy and a waste of taxpayer funds.”
Others, like Kathryn Hoist have echoed these sentiments, highlighting the broader implications of the technology. “As a member of the community who is greatly disturbed at the amount of dangerous driving and would love more accountability in keeping our streets safe, I do not trust this private company due to its many failings across this country,” Hoist wrote. “In our own city, an officer on leave used Flock camera footage to stalk his own wife and mistress. We cannot trust the words that any representative from Flock says because their own CEO has lied about security measures within their technology.”
The Broader Implications of Flock Camera Use
The debate in Costa Mesa is part of a larger national conversation about the use of automated license plate readers. Flock cameras, in particular, have been the subject of scrutiny due to their widespread deployment and the potential for misuse. The Institute for Justice has identified at least 24 cases nationwide of officers using automated license-plate reader cameras like Flock to stalk romantic interests over the past two years.
Despite the backlash, the use of Flock cameras continues to expand. Earlier this year, the City of Orange renewed an over $375,000 contract with Flock, and Anaheim City Council members voted unanimously to pay $736,000 to buy 72 more automated license plate readers. The city of Costa Mesa spends $151,800 annually to run its 46 cameras, with a public transparency portal listing the locations of all the devices.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the use of Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers will remain a contentious issue, balancing the need for public safety with the right to privacy.