The Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting and Flock Safety: A Complex Relationship

The Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting, established over a century ago, traditionally focused on maintaining streetlights. Recently, the agency found itself embroiled in debate over its involvement with Flock Safety, a surveillance technology firm.

Flock Safety operates license plate readers in L.A., helping authorities scan for stolen vehicles and track fugitives. These devices often mount on municipal light poles, making the Bureau of Street Lighting responsible for their installation.

Reports indicate Flock shared license plate data with federal entities like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, prompting some cities to sever ties with the company. L.A. remains a willing customer, including its police department.

Emails obtained by public records reveal how various parties pressured the Bureau to hasten installations of plate readers. Flock, based in Atlanta, contracts with 5,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide. A company spokesperson stated their technology enables transparency, accountability, and local control.

MoMo Zhou, a company representative, emphasized that customers manage their own data, deleted after 30 days by default. Their platform includes audit trails to ensure accountability, supporting communities in crime reduction and missing person searches.

The Bureau, with 177 staff members and a $49.4 million budget, seemingly has a minor role in the surveillance debate. They’re primarily tasked with maintaining over 210,000 streetlamps, repairing them due to copper wire theft and managing electric vehicle charging stations.

Amid calls for increased transparency, the L.A. Police Commission requested a report on information collected by Flock’s scanners. Recently, the commission declined approving donations of Flock cameras. Members of the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition held a news conference opposing Flock ahead of a Police Commissioners meeting.

The Police Commission ordered an inspector general audit of the LAPD’s use of license plate reader technology, with findings expected in the summer. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado introduced a motion advising against new agreements or pilot programs with Flock Safety.

Despite behind-the-scenes pressures to work with Flock, challenges persist. When Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky’s office asked for faster installations, the Bureau stated not all city poles support the weight of Flock readers. Clinton Tsurui of the Bureau warned against rushed installations risking pole collapses.

The Los Angeles Police Foundation criticized installation delays. Last year, the foundation facilitated donations, largely placed in affluent Westside neighborhoods. Dana Katz, executive director of the foundation, requested fee waivers from the mayor’s office due to prohibitive costs.

Katz also noted some areas lacked city poles for mounting devices, suggesting city acceptance of Flock’s poles, already approved by Los Angeles County, could expedite processes.

Email exchanges between Katz and mayoral aides grew urgent. Katz stressed delays negatively impact public safety. Despite requests, mayor’s office representatives did not intervene on the foundation’s behalf.

Email records show Flock’s engagement with the Bureau since spring 2024, donating plate readers to combat copper theft. Tsurui emailed LAPD Capt. Celina Robles about executives requesting meetings to discuss the product’s benefits.

In June 2024, a lobbyist proposed exploring a public-private partnership between the city and Flock. Meetings continued with former City Councilmember Joe Buscaino, who later worked for a lobbying firm.

In January 2025, after Pacific Palisades wildfires, Flock donated over 50 plate readers to the area, offering them free for six months. Law enforcement and residents were keen during this heightened security period.

Subsequent communications urged the Bureau to expedite approval processes. Cmdr. Randall Goddard of the LAPD’s IT Bureau advocated for accelerating installations, emphasizing Chief Jim McDonnell’s support and collaboration with the City Attorney’s office.