City Council Study Session | September 8, 2026

The City Council of Casa Grande held a study session on September 8, 2026, focused on the Safe City Initiative, which involves the use of Flock Technologies' surveillance and license plate reader (LPR) systems to enhance public safety. The session provided a detailed overview of the technology deployment, including automatic license plate readers, pan-tilt-zoom cameras, community cameras, drones, and gunshot detection systems. The council discussed the 10-year contract with Flock Technologies, emphasizing that the city retains the ability to cancel the contract if the program does not meet expectations. Budget allocations were reviewed, including initial funding of $144,000 for additional cameras and grants totaling over $300,000 to support the initiative without impacting other city projects. The police department highlighted the operational benefits, crime reduction statistics, and the importance of strong policies, auditing, and accountability measures to protect privacy and civil liberties. The council also considered potential policy enhancements such as third-party audits and penalties for misuse of the system. Public transparency efforts and ongoing community engagement were underscored, with the city inviting external reviews from the Attorney General's office and state representatives. No new contract awards or procurement actions were taken during this meeting, but the discussion centered on the management and oversight of an existing significant technology contract.