The Burbank City Council voted Tuesday night to schedule a future discussion on banning Flock and other automated license plate reader systems, capping a meeting that also covered the city’s greenhouse gas reduction progress and a police chief’s public defense of his department’s handling of federal immigration enforcement.
The decision to agendize the ALPR debate came after 11 residents urged the council to remove the pole-mounted cameras, citing privacy concerns and the technology’s use in immigration enforcement.
Councilwoman Nikki Perez, who introduced the request, said the cameras “have a bad track record” and noted “they’ve been used for immigration enforcement and have ICE contracts.”
Chief of Police Rafael Quintero defended the department’s use of the system, saying it is used to help locate missing persons and solve crimes by generating “hot lists” of vehicles connected with crimes under investigation and identifying stolen vehicles.
“Our intent is not to surveil anyone,” Quintero said.
Councilmember Christopher Rizzotti and Vice Mayor Zizette Mullins opposed the move, arguing the chief should be given more time to research alternatives before the council acts.
The vote to agendize the discussion passed, 3-2, with affirmative votes from Mayor Tamala Takahashi and Councilman Konstantine Anthony, who cast his vote by quoting Benjamin Franklin: “Any man who gives up liberty for security deserves neither.”
Earlier in the meeting, Contero addressed a social media video that questioned his honesty regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity outside the city jail. He said the department does not coordinate with ICE or notify immigration agents of arrests, prisoner releases or release times except for serious felonies required by state law. Quintero added that interfering with federal authorities performing their duties is a federal crime.
The chief said ICE’s unannounced presence at the 9/11 memorial ceremony disrupted the event, and that he will schedule a presentation to the police commission to address ICE activity outside the jail.
Mayor Tamala Takahashi described the appearance as “extremely disrespectful” and said ICE “has no place in our community.”
No time frame for the future agenda item was immediately available.
The AI platform Civilio assisted this report.
