US City Councils debate license plate reader pilot programs and terminations

Local governments in Los Angeles and San Diego are facing legislative decisions regarding the use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology.

In Los Angeles, the City Council is scheduled to vote on a three-month pilot program involving the installation of 30 license plate-reading cameras on street lights. The Los Angeles Police Department intends to partner with Axon Enterprise for this no-cost initiative. However, the Public Safety Committee recently recommended vetoing the program following concerns raised by Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez regarding privacy and data access policies.

In San Diego, a City Council committee is considering a resolution proposed by Councilmember Henry Foster III to terminate the city’s contract with Flock Safety, the current provider of the city’s ALPR program. The proposal seeks to end the use of the technology and delete all stored data. The move follows backlash involving the wrongful arrest of two individuals and a data breach that allowed external agencies to access the police department’s network. Additionally, the ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties has filed a lawsuit claiming the technology violates privacy rights under the California Constitution.