HOA surveillance camera installations spark privacy disputes and vandalism

Homeowners associations in California and Georgia are facing significant backlash following the installation of Flock Safety surveillance cameras without resident approval.

In the Shadow Lakes development in Brentwood, California, residents expressed privacy concerns after discovering automated license plate readers had been installed throughout the neighborhood. City officials admitted they mistakenly issued an encroachment permit under the impression the cameras were part of the local police department’s network. The city is now revoking the permit, which will require Flock Safety to remove the devices and restore the affected areas.

In Savannah, Georgia, the conflict in the Sweetwater Station neighborhood escalated when two surveillance cameras were vandalized. Police responded to reports that the cameras appeared to have been cut down with a saw. While the installation was announced on the neighborhood website, residents had reportedly not approved the move. Critics of these AI-powered systems frequently cite concerns regarding personal data collection and the potential for false accusations.