Fullerton City Council suspends Flock license plate camera use

Local governments are facing increasing scrutiny over the use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras due to privacy and civil liberties concerns. In Fullerton, the City Council voted 3–1 to suspend the operation of 19 Flock cameras for six months. This hiatus will allow for a town hall meeting, a review of police department policies, and a request for improved audit protocols from the vendor. The city’s contract with Flock remains active through 2028.

Fullerton Police Chief Jon Radus noted that the department has used the technology since 2021 at an annual cost of approximately $51,000. He clarified that the cameras capture still images without audio or video and that data usage is subject to quarterly audits. To comply with California law, the department stated that data cannot be used for immigration enforcement.

Other regions are also addressing surveillance technology. Knox County has moved to remove all Flock cameras to protect resident privacy, a decision suggested as a model for other Tennessee counties. Discussions in areas like Johnson City emphasize the need for strict controls on data access, local storage, and limitations on how information is shared with outside agencies.