Libertarian concerns about government overreach are often dismissed as paranoia - an attitude we tend to attribute to our critics’ short memories or their comfort within the San Francisco bubble, where they are part of the majority. Yet a recent example challenges that dismissal: Castro’s neighborhood association (EVNA) hosted parties celebrating SFPD surveillance cameras—even after reports emerged that ICE had been using those cameras illegally.
Mar 21, 2024 - SF Takes Historic Step to Solve Crime With 400 LPR Cameras
According to deFlock.me, the existing cameras at Castro & Market are also Flock cameras
May 24, 2024 - SF begins installing automated license plate readers:
The new license plate reader cameras will be used by the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) to address public safety issues such as retail and motor vehicle theft, … The technology will also be deployed to help locate victims, suspects, and missing children and adults. … These license plate readers can play a critical role in disrupting retail theft, car break-ins, sideshows, and other criminal activity. … ALPR cameras will not be used for facial recognition, nor will it be used for issuing traffic violations and parking citations.
And the twist:
Sep 08, 2025 - SFPD let Georgia, Texas cops illegally search city surveillance data on behalf of ICE:
San Francisco police let out-of-state cops run more than 1.6 million illegal searches of the city’s license-plate reader database — including at least 19 that were marked as related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to records obtained by The Standard.
Sep 13, 2025 - Castro’s Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association held a pro-police surveillance camera party [7, 8, 9]
What should we do to hold accountable the people and organizations that supported the cameras? How should we hold accountable the SF and SFPD for partnering with Flock? What should we do to counter illegal state surveillance?
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