Click or tap any question below to see the answer.
What are the Flock cameras, and why does Hidden Hills use them?
The city has 3 Flock Safety automated license plate readers (ALPR) cameras, one at each guard shack, installed at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s (LASD’s) suggestion. Hidden Hills has had these 3 license plate readers since 2017 and transitioned to the brand Flock at the request of our station, so Hidden Hills would be part of the LASD network. The cameras help LASD investigate crimes, locate stolen vehicles, find missing or at risk persons, such as during an AMBER Alert.
What do the cameras capture?
The cameras take still images of vehicles as they pass, focused on the rear license plate. The system records the plate number, vehicle characteristics (make, color, and type), date and time, and the camera location. We currently have Flocks “Falcon Cameras,” which may be different than the models discussed in the media.
Do the cameras use facial recognition or AI to track people?
No. This camera system reads vehicles and license plates and does not identify people. They do not use facial recognition and are not used for traffic citations or enforcement or for any reason unrelated to a crime.
Who has access to the camera data?
Only authorized LASD personnel have access, and only for legitimate law enforcement purposes. City staff, the City Council, the Hidden Hills Community Association, and Covered 6 do not have access to the system or its data.
Are these the same as the HOA gate or community speeding cameras?
No. The Flock cameras are not connected to any of the cameras operated by the Hidden Hills Community Association.
Can federal agencies, including immigration authorities, access the data?
No. California law allows ALPR information to be shared only with California law enforcement agencies. The Flock system was configured to prevent the sharing of information with the federal government. (California Civil Code 1798.90.55)
Can other police departments search the Hidden Hills cameras?
Hidden Hills data is accessible to LASD only and is not shared with other networks. LASD has limited personnel to the Lost Hills Station ONLY. Additionally, LASD Lost Hills staff have limited the search capabilities of their station personnel based on their roles. For example, the watch center deputies, watch deputies, detectives, and FTO’s have searching capabilities. As a safeguard, the Lost Hills Station has implemented its own search limitations for Lost Hills Station personnel to mitigate any concerns.
When does LASD search the data?
LASD searches the system only for specific law enforcement purposes, such as a crime investigation or a report of a stolen vehicle or a missing person. Each search requires the user to enter a reason, a case number, and their employee number. In order to access the search database, LASD personnel must have a Flock user account, and the system also alerts LASD when a vehicle already listed as stolen or wanted passes a camera.
How long is the data kept?
Images and plate data are automatically and permanently deleted after 30 days, unless they are needed as evidence in an active investigation.
How is the system audited?
Every search is automatically logged with the user, date, time, and stated reason. The System is audited by a lieutenant at the Lost Hills Station. LASD policy states that they must periodically audit the system. An audit was conducted in Summer 2026, and no anomalies were detected.
Have there been any problems or misuse?
No. The City is not aware of any misuse of the system or any unauthorized access to Hidden Hills camera data.
News reports have described improper sharing of Flock data in other cities. How is Hidden Hills addressing this?
The City understands and takes these concerns seriously. The City reviewed its system settings with LASD and Flock to confirm that access is limited to LASD, and it will continue to review access and audit records regularly.
Have Flock cameras helped solve crimes nearby?
Yes. For example, in Calabasas, a Flock alert helped Malibu/Lost Hills deputies locate and arrest a suspect in a copper-wire theft investigation. Flock information also helped identify a vehicle in a recent robbery investigation.
Does LASD support the use of Flock cameras?
Yes. Captain Dustin Carr of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station spoke at the March 2026 City Council meeting about how the cameras support public safety in Hidden Hills, and the city will continue to follow the LASD guidance on this topic. Sheriff of Los Angeles County Robert Luna has stated on numerous occasions the importance of Flock and the information it provides to aid deputies in solving crimes, and confirmed his continued support of the system within the last 30 days.
How widely are Flock cameras used in Los Angeles County?
As of August 2026, Flock cameras are in almost all cities in Los Angeles County and have not been removed.
What about the recent report that hackers accessed data on a Flock camera?
In the case reported by WIRED, hackers obtained a camera and accessed data stored on the actual physical camera. Our cameras are located at guarded gatehouses, making it almost impossible for someone to physically access or tamper with them. The placement of our cameras almost eliminates unauthorized access.
What rules govern how the data is used?
State law and individual law enforcement policies govern access to and use of the camera data.
Who can I contact with questions?
Please contact Nick Saldivar, Emergency Services Coordinator, at 818-888-9281 or via email at nick@hiddenhills.gov