Berkeley City Council Launches RFP for Future Public Safety Technology Services

In May 2026, the Berkeley City Council made a pivotal decision regarding public safety technology by voting against the renewal and expansion of its contract with Flock Safety, a provider of automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. This decision came amid increasing tensions surrounding privacy and community trust in surveillance technology. Instead of moving forward with Flock Safety, the Council opted for a more inclusive approach by extending the existing contract on a temporary basis for 12 months and initiating a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process to solicit bids from other potential vendors for public safety technology services. This represents a significant shift in the Council's procurement strategy, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to community concerns.

During discussions preceding the vote, the Council heard diverse perspectives on the implications of surveillance technology on civil liberties and public safety. Many community members passionately voiced their opinions, demonstrating a robust engagement with the issue. Critics of the Flock Safety contract cited concerns that such technology could erode civil liberties and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Jordan Harger, a representative of Berkeley Copwatch, articulated these sentiments, suggesting that the reliance on surveillance technologies might perpetuate cycles of injustice, particularly against low-income individuals and communities of color.

In response to these concerns, Mayor Adena Ishii stated, "Last night, the Berkeley City Council rejected a new contract with Flock that would have expanded the company’s public safety technology services...we want to ensure that services can be provided in a way that is fair, open, and transparent." Notably, the call for an RFP underscores the Council's commitment to reconsidering contract selection criteria aligned more closely with the community’s values, such as privacy protections and data management practices. This change could signal a decrease in the reliance on ALPR technology unless compelling evidence supporting its efficacy in enhancing public safety is presented.

The upcoming RFP offers a unique opportunity for vendors within the public safety technology sphere, as the competitive bidding process aims to identify innovative and effective solutions that address both safety and ethical concerns. It is anticipated that responses to the RFP will need to include not only technical capabilities but also detailed plans for maintaining data privacy and community engagement, which could reshape the landscape of public safety procurement in Berkeley and potentially influence practices in other jurisdictions facing similar challenges.

Furthermore, this decision aligns with a broader trend observed in numerous jurisdictions across the U.S., where cities are reconsidering their relationships with surveillance technology in light of privacy concerns and community impact. Cities like Mountain View, Santa Cruz, and El Cerrito have also terminated contracts with Flock Safety, reflecting a growing reluctance to adopt systems viewed as intrusive and potentially harmful. The evaluation of the effectiveness of such surveillance systems is crucial, as highlighted by Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, who remarked on the lack of strong data to substantiate claims that ALPR technology is effective in crime mitigation.

The decision marks a critical juncture not only for procurement professionals monitoring local government contracts but for the broader conversation about the role of technology in public safety. As Berkeley moves forward with its RFP process, it will be essential for vendors to align their offerings with the Council's revised priorities, ensuring that proposals advocate for community trust, uphold civil liberties, and demonstrate measurable outcomes in public safety.