A fancy California neighborhood is up in arms after Flock cameras had been put in by its householders affiliation after town admitted it mistakenly accepted them.
The controversy erupted in Brentwood’s practically 800-home Shadow Lakes improvement, the place residents raised privateness considerations after discovering the cameras operated by the HOA all through the neighborhood, in accordance with the Mercury Information.
Brentwood officers acknowledged town issued an encroachment allow beneath the “mistaken understanding” the cameras had been a part of the Brentwood Police Division’s current surveillance community.
Town has now begun revoking the allow put in within the public right-of-way, appearing Metropolis Supervisor Terrance Davis informed the outlet.
As soon as the allow is revoked, Flock Security should take away the cameras and restore the affected areas to their earlier situation, Davis stated.
In the meantime, ABC7 reported that 4 Flock cameras had been put in at entrances and exits to the Shadow Lakes improvement.
The gadgets are automated license plate readers that determine particulars together with a car’s plate, make, mannequin and shade, in accordance with Flock Security.
The corporate says its cameras don’t use facial recognition. A number of residents stated that they had no concept the privately operated system had been put in.
Nathan Fruth, who lives on a road exterior the householders affiliation, referred to as the scenario a “huge breach of privateness.”
“This isn’t a gated neighborhood. It’s a public road, and the individuals driving on it aren’t all members of the HOA,” Fruth informed Mercury Information.
“If town needs cameras on public streets, that’s a call that ought to be made by town with public oversight. It shouldn’t be one thing a non-public group can determine by itself.”
Resident Tali Hoffman, whose residence instantly faces one of many cameras informed the information outlet the setup feels “fairly invasive.”
“I’ve to maintain out of view, not as a result of I’m doing something improper, nevertheless it’s proper there. I don’t really feel snug, and it’s a little bit creepy.”
The Shadow Lakes HOA, nevertheless, maintains that residents had been knowledgeable in regards to the system earlier than it was put in.
The affiliation informed ABC7 that residents had been notified by means of a number of communications and that the cameras had been mentioned at open discussion board conferences between November 2025 and June 2026.
“Whereas the Affiliation made a number of efforts to speak the mission, we acknowledge that particular person householders could not have seen or opened each communication that was distributed,” it defined to the community.
The affiliation stated “administration” is the one administrator with entry to its Flock system and that captured information is retained for 30 days.
The cameras {photograph} license plates of autos getting into and leaving the neighborhood and aren’t meant to supply steady surveillance of residents or their properties, the HOA added.
The affiliation stated it put in the expertise amid ongoing considerations about crime and property theft in Shadow Lakes.
Earlier than putting in Flock, the HOA stated it was spending roughly $300,000 a 12 months on round the clock roving safety patrols.
However the cameras have sparked broader questions on privately managed surveillance on public streets.
Town already operates 62 Flock license plate readers by means of the Brentwood Police Division, that are reportedly utilized in accordance with relevant legislation enforcement guidelines.
Metropolis officers additionally plan to debate potential laws governing privately owned Flock cameras at a future Metropolis Council assembly.
The Submit contacted the HOA and Brentwood council for additional remark.
