EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 63, NO. 21
February 26, 2026
San Bernardino Residents Demand City End $84K Flock Surveillance Camera Contract By Manny Sandoval
M
ore than 100 residents filled the meeting room at the Feldheym Central Library on Feb. 18, with over two dozen rallying specifically to protest the city’s contract with Flock Safety and urging officials not to renew an $84,000 annual agreement for 28 automated license plate reader cameras.
IECN.com
Public comment on the issue did not begin until about 7:40 p.m. — more than two hours after the meeting started — as the San Bernardino City Council first spent nearly 90 minutes debating a proposed ban on short-term rentals. Several pre-planned speakers left before they were able to address the council.
1 in 10 Cal State Students Face Homelessness. This Emergency Housing Program Helps Pg. 4
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL A resident and public commenter looking down at his sign that reads “get the flock out of San Bernardino” as the council discussed banning short term rentals for 90 minutes.
Fontana Radio Host Stranded in Jalisco Violence After Canceled Ontario Flight Pg. 5
Highland, San Bernardino YMCA Near Scholarship Goals Ensuring No One Is Turned Away — Give by March 4 Pg. 8 Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals : iecnlegals@gmail.com
At one point during discussion of the rental ban, Councilman Fred Shorett said, "I've been very passionate about this short-term rental ban for quite some time.” During public comment, a speaker responded, “Old man Fred needs to be passionate about the homeless shelter and homelessness in this city.”
By the time the council opened the floor, seats were filled with residents and organizers from the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, The People’s Collective for Environmental Justice and Just San Bernardino. Many attendees held signs reading “Get the flock out of SB” in English and Spanish. The Flock Safety agreement, set to renew March 30, 2026, assists police in identifying stolen vehicles and suspects. The contract is under community scrutiny over privacy concerns and potential data sharing with federal immigration agencies. Sheheryar Kaoosji, cofounder and executive director of the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, said the cameras are part of a broader surveillance system that disproportionately affects workingclass communities of color. “These cameras represent a consistent threat to the safety of local communities from federal agents,” Kaoosji told the council. He said residents are concerned that data collected by Flock Cameras, Cont. on next
Car Plows Into Downtown Redlands Crowd; Gunshots Follow, Witness Says By Manny Sandoval
A
vehicle drove into a crowd in downtown Redlands early Sunday, Feb. 22, just after 1:30 a.m., and moments later at least six gunshots were fired at the vehicle, according to a witness who recorded the incident. Crystal Chirpin, who handles media for Cherps Auto and Customs in Calimesa, said she and friends were leaving the area on East Citrus Avenue when they encountered a confrontation outside nightlife venues including The District and The Underground. “We were all leaving about — it was closer to 2 in the morning, maybe like 1:45 a.m.,” Chirpin said. “People were cleaning up and leaving.” She said roughly 10 to 15 people were surrounding a vehicle when a female driver got into a blue Tesla and drove off. About 30 seconds later, the same Tesla circled back.
“It was the same blue car that was there. It had basically circled around,” Chirpin said. “You can hear it in the video. The car screeches its tires. But no one’s paying attention because it’s super loud.” Seconds later, the vehicle accelerated into the group. Chirpin said some of the individuals struck did not appear to be actively involved in the argument. “The people that she hit weren’t necessarily — I mean, in my opinion — part of the issue,” she said. “There wasn’t any yelling or screaming or anything like that coming from them.” She estimated those hit were in their 20s. Several people fell to the ground. Some were able to get up and move away, while others remained down. “There was one on the sidewalk that was moving around, and you could tell his leg was pretty injured,” Chirpin said. “One of them was completely laid out.” Hit-and-Run, cont. next pg.
PHOTO CRYSTAL CHIRPIN VIDEO SCREENSHOT A vehicle drives into a crowd in downtown Redlands early Sunday, Feb. 22, moments before gunshots rang out, according to witness video.