Flock Cameras Cancelled
Flock cameras have sparked privacy concerns in Santa Barbara and across the nation in recent months
NEWS
voicesb.com
August 28, 2026
Ribbon Cutting at ReStore
By aston smitH, Santa BarBara nEwS-PrESS, 8.25.26
FLOCK IS OUT. But Verkada isn’t in. Not yet.
Photo by Nicole Castillo / VOICE
The 12 Flock cameras in Santa Barbara are turned off and the police department no longer has access to the system. Per the contract with Flock, the cameras are scheduled to be removed by Flock in the next couple of weeks.
By Daisy scott / VOICE Photo by Aston Smith / Santa Barbara News-Press
MAKING A LONG-AWAITED COMEBACK WITH A BRAND NEW FOCUS on selling beautiful items and art, the ReStore has officially returned to Santa Barbara, opening at 400 State Street with a ribbon cutting Wednesday morning. A retail store operated by Habitat for Humanity for Southern Santa Barbara County, the ReStore will now offer the same home improvement resources as its predecessor as well as an expanded inventory of donated decor, furniture, and even fine art all donated from community members to help their (See Habitat, 7) neighbors.
The transfer to a new license plate reader system powered by Verkada cameras hit the brakes as the City Council discussed delaying the approval of the new contract.
Sgt. Bruno Peterson eyes the projector displaying the presentation on Verkada cameras while Police Chief Kelly Gordon (behind) addresses community concerns over the facial recognition capabilities of license plate readers at Santa Barbara City Hall on August 25th.
Photo courtesy of Domecíl
Santa Barbara’s Cultural Night out is September 3rd 16, 17
(See VERKADA, 4)
In This Issue
Exhibit of works with Public Art dreams opens on 1st Thursday (See Art, 10)
Kellogg Square business center sold for $11.3 million
Photo Courtesy of Colliers
Domecíl Celebrating (See FIVE, 15) Five Years
So for now, the future fate of license plate readers in Santa Barbara has been tabled.
As new housing projects make progress near Old Town Goleta, Kellogg Square will provide business and retail infrastructure. (See Goleta, 18)
Community News. . . . . . . . 2 , 1 2 - 1 4 , 1 8 , 2 1 Arts & Culture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 , 2 9 - 3 1 Harlan Green: Economic Voice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Community Market & Legals. . . . . . . . . . . 19-21 John Palminteri: On the Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 David Gress: Tree of the Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8
Calendar........23-25 Movie Listings........22