South Tucson leaders postponed a decision on whether to continue using Flock Safety cameras after a tense debate last week, as residents, police officials and school leaders offered sharply different views on the surveillance technology’s role in community safety and civil liberties.

U.S.-based company Flock Safety has deployed networks of automatic license plate readers in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies nationwide and in Tucson. The cameras include AI software that allows for vehicle identification and cloud storage.

Cameras can be found at busy intersections, in the parking lots of stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot, and across the University of Arizona campus.

Since August, five sets of Flock cameras have been installed in the City of South Tucson in collaboration with South Tucson police. They’re located at:

• South Sixth Avenue and East 27th Street, by the Sam Lena Library
• South Fourth Avenue and East 29th Street, by Mil Nitido
• East 36th Street, outside Tucson’s Greyhound Park
• South Fourth Avenue and East Benson Highway, outside the former Spanish Trail Motel
• South Sixth Avenue and East Benson Highway, outside the former Budget Inn Hotel

There’s anecdotal evidence that Flock’s cameras have helped stop crime, with cities seeing as much as a 73% decrease in vehicle break-ins and a 50% decrease in stolen cars.

But an investigation by Forbes into similar claims in Southern California found that after a brief initial drop in some crime categories, others increased — and early statistics were still used in Flock’s marketing.

“Since the cameras went live, seven arrests have been directly attributed to them, the most serious case involving a shooting between two individuals on September 5 of this year,” South Tucson Police Commander Raul Navarro said at the Nov. 18 meeting. “We identified those involved, and with the help of our local partners and other departments, arrested three individuals with primary felony convictions and recovered two firearms.”

Mission View Elementary School Principal Sandra Calkins spoke in support of the cameras and her commitment to keeping students and staff safe, and advocated for additional assistance for South Tucson’s 15-member police force.

“This year, I had several families withdraw their children after only the first day of schoo,.” Calkins said. “They did not feel safe leaving their children in our school. The potential impact on enrollment and the risk of school closure is real.”

She said Mission View families support cameras on campus.

“They enhance safety, deter unauthorized access and unsafe behaviors, they support emergency responses, and they build trust with our community,” she said. “If families embrace cameras for social security, why wouldn't similar measures be embraced by the broader South Tucson community?”

While many community members spoke in support of the cameras, others raised concerns about artificial intelligence.

Flock’s AI not only tracks license plates; it can identify vehicle attributes such as body type, paint color and even details like roof racks and bumper stickers. Critics say this level of detail threatens the privacy of everyday residents.

Resident Elizabeth Sandoval told the mayor and council she’d like the cameras removed, citing privacy concerns.

“There have already been cases where these AI cameras have led police to wrongfully accuse innocent people causing real harm,” Sandoval said. “This technology has the potential for much broader detection and tracking.”

Anthony Sanchez also expressed opposition, saying the cameras could disproportionately target marginalized residents.

“This technology has already been used across the country to target immigrants to assist in deportation and to track people who have done nothing except exist inside their own neighborhoods,” Sanchez said. “A camera does not become fair simply because it sees everyone. It falls on those whose innocence is never assumed.”

Research published by the Independent Institute and Secure Justice found that fewer than 0.3% of license plate hits in California led to an active investigation by local law enforcement.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement used Flock cameras for more than 4,000 immigration-related checks between June 2024 and May 2025.

After deliberation, the council unanimously agreed to revisit the topic in two months to give staff and members more time to conduct independent research.

Despite the unresolved debate over public safety technology, the meeting also highlighted a very different kind of community investment, celebrating small businesses awarded $1,000 mini-grants through the Viva South Tucson program.

The nonprofit financial institution Groundswell Capital partnered with the City of South Tucson and WaFd Bank to support the program.

Community members nominated their favorite South Tucson small businesses for the cash awards.

“Our small businesses (are) what makes this city thrive,” said South Tucson Community Investment Advisor Selina Barrajas, who will be sworn into Tucson’s Ward 5 City Council seat next month. “If it wasn't for our small business community, there wouldn't be a city of South Tucson.”

Grant recipients included Barrio Restoration, Baca Enterprises Upholstery and Cafe Thang, a Vietnamese coffee shop that has been open for less than a year.

“Thank you everyone who (has) supported us for the last year!!!” Cafe Thang wrote on its Facebook page. “As we will continue to grow our business and will always provide you the very best… Thank you for the community in supporting small businesses, and we strive to provide more value in our products and give you the attention you (deserve).”

Beezu Beezu Flowers and Gifts was also recognized with a mini-grant.

“Being a small business owner in today’s economy can be scary, but moments like this remind me why we keep pushing forward,” said owner Anthony Rodriguez. “The support we’ve received from our community has not only lifted us up, but shown us the real impact our work is making here in South Tucson. Being awarded this special grant is truly an honor, and something we deeply appreciate and value.”

Topacio “Topaz” Servellon is a reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact them at topacioserve@gmail.com.

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