San Diego police jailed Hugo Parra for a month based on Flock camera data that should have proven his innocence. The surveillance system showed Parra was five miles away from an attempted carjacking when police claimed he was involved. Despite timestamped evidence contradicting their case, officers proceeded with the arrest, ignoring both the data and Parra's alibi.

The $2 million annual Flock surveillance contract in San Diego faces scrutiny after this case exposes how police misuse the technology. Parra's attorney noted the department "ignored exculpatory evidence in a rush to judgment." The lawsuit seeks $1.5 million each for Parra and his friend, whose car was mistakenly flagged despite being miles from the crime scene.

This incident highlights broader concerns about license plate reader technology. Flock cameras collect vehicle "fingerprints" even without full plate numbers, enabling tracking across networks. Critics argue mass surveillance without proper safeguards creates false positives and civil rights violations. Parra now experiences anxiety around police, saying he was treated as "guilty until proven innocent."