San Diego Police Department initially announced start-up training for the new Flock cameras in January 2024. While plenty of residents continue to debate the value of this technology in their city, at least one “celebrity” came to their defense at a San Diego City Council committee meeting—sort of, at least. Wired shared this convoluted story in August 2026.
Because Darth Vader is a fictional character from Star Wars, the man speaking at the council’s August 19 meeting was obviously someone dressed like this dark lord from the movies, complete with a 2004 Hasbro mask. He used the deep breathing function of the mask but decided not to use the voice changer, imitating the Darth Vader voice himself.
The impersonator didn’t give a name at the meeting outside of his persona as he stayed in character. He initially planned to stay anonymous, but he changed his mind when the video of the meeting went viral.
He then identified himself as Anthony Ralphs, a DJ, event producer, and agricultural consultant. Prior to the debate over Flock cameras, he’d only attended three or four council meetings, but this topic really disturbed his force field.
A Turn-About in the Action
Ralphs started his public comments by saying that he endorsed Flock cameras as a representative of the Empire. He noted that the cameras could “follow and surveil the Rebel scum,” making people familiar with the movie plot smile. He then took his sarcasm further, saying that this technology could help him to stalk an ex or even track down Luke Skywalker.
In his interview with Wired, Ralphs explained his real position on the subject. As part of that, he noted how the city cut art programs because of the municipality’s $120 million deficit but then put $2.2 million towards the Flock camera contract. He didn’t find that action justifiable.
Flock Cameras Gone Wrong
Flock cameras have been controversial in San Diego with one 2025 case leading to hotly debated felony charges of assault with a firearm and evasion for a man named Hugo Parra. The arrest took place after the camera system verified the license plate of an Alfa Romeo car in which someone “brandished” a handgun, per Times of San Diego. He was jailed for nearly a month in a self-described “dangerous population,” missing Thanksgiving with his family.
Attorney Alex Coolman now represents this man and the alleged driver, Ariel Beltran, stating that the Alfa Romeo in question had been five miles away from the crime site. This, he said, made it impossible for the police to have found the right car or made the proper arrest.
Coolman plans to file a lawsuit on behalf of the two men, so the San Diego Police Department and the city attorney’s office are declining to make any comments.
Keeping the Flock System?
At least for now, yes. In December 2025, the council voted to maintain their usage, placed in about 500 streetlights, according to Axios.
Anthony “Darth Vader” Ralphs and Attorney Alex Coolman aren’t alone in protesting their usage, however, with the Trust SC Coalition also calling for transparency to the city’s mass surveillance technologies.