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Plate readers © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · © OpenMapTiles
Costa Mesa has 83 mapped plate readers. 78 carry the Flock Safety tag. Most don't say who runs them.
They were first mapped between Jan 6, 2025 and Sep 19, 2026. A plate reader keeps a record of each car that passes. Whoever runs it sets how long and who can search it.
Flock cameras in Costa Mesa: locations by ZIP code
ZIP 92626 has the most (45), then 92627 (33). Mounted on, where known: 17 on poles, 16 on traffic signals and 7 on street lights.
1 more plate reader is on Orange County Sheriff's Department’s own list, counted apart.
| Where | Maker tag and operator | Facing | First mapped |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces southwest (as mapped) | Jan 6, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west and south (as mapped) | Jan 6, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces south-southeast (as mapped) | Jan 6, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces northeast (as mapped) | Jan 6, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces northeast (as mapped) | Jan 6, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces north-northwest (as mapped) | Jan 6, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces west-southwest (as mapped) | Jan 31, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west-southwest (as mapped) | Jan 31, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces southeast (as mapped) | Feb 2, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces south-southeast (as mapped) | Mar 22, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces west-southwest (as mapped) | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces south (as mapped) | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west-northwest (as mapped) | Sep 14, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west-southwest (as mapped) | Nov 30, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west (as mapped) | Dec 1, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces east (as mapped) | Dec 1, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces north-northwest (as mapped) | Dec 13, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces north (as mapped) | Dec 13, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces south (as mapped) | Dec 13, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces northeast (as mapped) | Dec 25, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west-southwest (as mapped) | Dec 27, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces northeast (as mapped) | Jan 28, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces south-southwest (as mapped) | Jan 28, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces north-northeast (as mapped) | Feb 3, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces southwest (as mapped) | Apr 5, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces north (as mapped) | May 1, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces south (as mapped) | May 1, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces east (as mapped) | May 5, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces northeast (as mapped) | May 6, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces north-northwest (as mapped) | May 27, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces southwest (as mapped) | May 27, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces northeast (as mapped) | May 27, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces southeast (as mapped) | May 27, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces south-southeast (as mapped) | Jun 30, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces northwest (as mapped) | Jul 17, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west-southwest (as mapped) | Jul 24, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces north-northwest (as mapped) | Jul 29, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west (as mapped) | Jul 29, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces east (as mapped) | Aug 1, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces east-southeast (as mapped) | Aug 5, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces southeast (as mapped) | Aug 21, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces south-southwest (as mapped) | Aug 24, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces south-southwest (as mapped) | Sep 6, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west (as mapped) | Sep 9, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92626 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces south-southeast (as mapped) | Sep 12, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces southwest (as mapped) | Jan 21, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces northeast (as mapped) | Jan 21, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces west (as mapped) | Jan 26, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces northeast (as mapped) | Feb 1, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces north-northeast (as mapped) | Feb 2, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces north-northwest (as mapped) | Feb 2, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces south (as mapped) | Jun 30, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces south (as mapped) | Jun 30, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces north-northeast (as mapped) | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces north-northeast (as mapped) | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces north-northeast (as mapped) | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces south-southeast (as mapped) | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Newport Beach Police Department | Faces south-southwest (as mapped) | Jul 29, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Newport Beach Police Department | Faces south-southwest (as mapped) | Jul 29, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces south-southeast (as mapped) | Dec 1, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces east-northeast (as mapped) | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Costa Mesa Police Department | Faces south (as mapped) | Dec 25, 2025 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces north-northeast (as mapped) | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces south (as mapped) | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces northeast (as mapped) | Feb 27, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces south-southwest (as mapped) | May 10, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces southwest (as mapped) | May 16, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west (as mapped) | May 30, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces north (as mapped) | May 30, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west (as mapped) | May 30, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west (as mapped) | May 30, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces north-northeast (as mapped) | Jun 8, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces east (as mapped) | Jun 30, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: A private operator, not named | Faces north (as mapped) | Jun 30, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces north-northwest (as mapped) | Aug 13, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces west-southwest (as mapped) | Sep 4, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces east (as mapped) | Sep 19, 2026 |
| Near ZIP 92627 Show on map | Flock Safety Run by: Not listed yet | Faces north and east (as mapped) | Sep 19, 2026 |
Near you: Flock camera locations near me.
Who runs the Flock cameras in Costa Mesa
Most don't say who runs them.
- Costa Mesa Police Department 16
- Newport Beach Police Department 2
- Private operators, not named 1
What the Flock cameras in Costa Mesa keep
- Records
- The plate of each car that passes, with the time and place. Often a photo of the car.
- Run by
- 19 of 78 say who runs them, most often Costa Mesa Police Department (16).
- Kept for
- Not published on the map. Each operator sets its own. Flock Safety’s FAQ: “Flock recommends a 7-day default.”
- Who sees it
- Whoever runs it, and those it shares with. In California, a public agency may share only with other public agencies in the state.
- How to ask
- Read the operator's policy. California requires one. Or ask the city for its records.
Who can search plate reads in Costa Mesa
329 agencies can search reads from the Costa Mesa Police Department’s plate readers, by its posted sharing list (Oct 14, 2026). Its portal says it keeps each read for 365 days.
Costa Mesa Police Department
- Agencies on its posted sharing list
- 329
- Other organizations on its list
- 5
- Keeps each read for
- 365 days
- Plate readers its portal lists
- 46
- Agencies whose reads it can search
- 137
Its transparency portal, as of Oct 13, 2026 · See its sharing lists, as of Oct 14, 2026
Get one summary email a month on new plate readers in Costa Mesa
Portal figures and sharing lists: EyesOnFlock (CC BY-SA 4.0), from Flock Safety transparency portals.
When the Flock cameras in Costa Mesa were first mapped
Flock-tagged readers here were first mapped from January 6, 2025 to September 19, 2026. 40 of the 78 were first mapped in 2026, with 14 in May alone.
CamsAhead started its daily change log on October 22, 2026. How the map changed.
Flock cameras in Costa Mesa: questions
How many Flock cameras are in Costa Mesa?
78 plate readers tagged Flock Safety are on the map in Costa Mesa, CA, as of November 7, 2026.
Where are the Flock cameras in Costa Mesa?
The table lists the most recently mapped ones by ZIP code, and the map shows all of them. ZIP 92626 has the most (45).
Who runs the plate readers in Costa Mesa?
Most don't say who runs them. Whoever runs each one sets how long it keeps the reads and who can search them, within California law.
Which agencies around Costa Mesa use plate readers?
The EFF's Atlas of Surveillance lists Costa Mesa Police Department as an agency that uses plate readers.
Which way does each camera face?
All 78 carry a direction tag, and the map draws each one as a cone.
Camera alerts
Know when cameras in Costa Mesa change.
Free email alerts for new plate readers mapped near your places. One summary email a month.
- When a plate reader is first mapped near you
- New cameras mapped or reported near you
- What plate readers keep, and who runs them
- Your street, your distance, the camera types you pick
156,883 cameras listed or mapped so far.
Sources and updates
How this page was made: CamsAhead writes each page type once, then fills it with this place's data from the sources below.
- OpenStreetMap contributors: plate readers in Costa Mesa, CA, data as of Nov 7, 2026; ODbL 1.0
- Flock Safety FAQ: the default retention quoted in What they keep, read Oct 24, 2026
- California Civil Code §1798.90.51: the use and privacy policy rule for plate readers
- California Civil Code §1798.90.55: the rule on who a public agency may share reads with
- EFF Atlas of Surveillance: agencies that use plate readers, data as of Aug 2026; CC BY 4.0
- Orange County Sheriff's Department, California: Camera locations: Orange County Sheriff's Department. Read November 7, 2026.
Plate reader points are mapped by OpenStreetMap volunteers (data as of November 7, 2026).
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