Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges is warning residents about an online campaign that encourages people to damage Flock license plate reader cameras, possibly while disguised in Halloween costumes.

The campaign, called "De-Flock America," encourages people to cover, damage or destroy Flock Safety cameras, KSBW first reported. It is prompting questions about whether it amounts to social media hype or a real threat.

Damaging a Flock camera is felony vandalism, punishable by up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to KSBW's report. The person responsible could also be required to pay the cost of replacing the camera.

Berkley Brannon, chief assistant district attorney for Monterey County, warned that vandalism could have consequences beyond the legal penalties. "If a murderer escapes because a Flock camera is vandalized and murders again, how is that vandal going to feel?" Brannon said.

Borges said the cameras are funded by taxpayer dollars and that Seaside residents will decide what technology the police department uses. He urged people to settle the issue through civic conversation rather than property destruction.

"So there's no need for anybody to come and damage our stuff," Borges said. He added that residents have already been engaging with the department on the topic.

Flock Safety, the company that manufactures the cameras, said in a statement that it is aware of the online posts. The company warned that disabling a camera could prevent officers from receiving time-sensitive alerts tied to AMBER Alerts, missing-person cases or violent crime suspects.

The cameras have been a source of debate across Monterey County. The Board of Supervisors voted in September to reject a Flock camera contract extension, the Monterey Herald reported. At that time, 63 Flock cameras were in place across the county, used by jurisdictions including King City, Greenfield, Soledad, Salinas, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside and Carmel, along with areas of the state park system and the California Highway Patrol, according to the Herald.

Monterey County Undersheriff Keith Boyd said following the board's decision that the cameras would be removed within 60 days, the Herald reported.