A string of attacks on California’s expanding license plate reader network has reached a quiet rural stretch of Monterey County, where vigilantes have been accused of ripping down surveillance cameras and destroying the equipment.
Authorities say one suspect, 40-year-old Marcus Bee, allegedly pulled down three Flock Safety cameras in Monterey County and then drove over them. Investigators said at least one of the incidents was captured on video.
Bee, a resident of Pismo Beach in neighboring San Luis Obispo County, was arrested by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office on suspicion of felony vandalism. He was booked into the Monterey County Jail, with bail set at $30,000.
“His actions were captured by other surveillance cameras located nearby. That evidence, combined with other investigative leads, enabled detectives to identify Bee as the suspect,” the sheriff’s office told CBS News.
The damaged Flock cameras were located in the rural communities of Lockwood and Bradley, officials said.
In a separate incident, two additional cameras were destroyed in Seaside along Del Monte Boulevard. Police in that city said the damage appeared to have been deliberate and targeted.
“There’s more than just vandalism alone. I’m sure people have seen on the internet that this is kind of a trend, so we’re looking at possible conspiracy to commit a crime beyond the vandalism, and also those flock cameras are computer systems, so it’s denying access to a computer system, which is a felony in California,” Seaside police told KSBW.
Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said investigators are still working to determine what may have motivated Bee in the alleged destruction of the Flock surveillance cameras.
“Right now, my detectives are investigating the reason why he did it. Is there any motivations? Is he connected to other crimes that may have occurred into the area?” she said.
Police said the vandalism cost thousands of dollars in damages.
Mass surveillance has concerned private citizens across the nation, though law enforcement said it has been necessary to help solve crimes.
“Whenever you take away what we call an ALPR system, any camera system, you’re taking away a tool that our investigators are using to help solve other crimes,” Nieto said.
But advocates say the price is too much.
“What we’re seeing with the public is pushback and outcry against this mass surveillance, this warrantless mass surveillance.
“So some people are taking action. I’m not going to encourage it, but what we have to be concerned about is an ongoing assault on our civil liberty,” Monterey County criminal defense attorney Chris Cain told KSBW.
“Flock cameras are more than just traffic cameras. It’s actually warrantless searches and mass surveillance on everyone.
“It records a lot more than just the license plate. It will record data for where a person is going, where they’ve been, and increasingly it’s recording facial recognition,” Cain added.
Flock Safety, which has cameras across the Los Angeles area, condemned the tearing down of their cameras.
“These are tools agencies rely on to respond quickly and help keep people safe. People have every right to make their voices heard, but criminal acts should never be part of that process,” they wrote to KSBW.
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