Alameda County delays vote on Flock license plate reader contract amid privacy concerns

"Alameda County supervisors are delaying a decision on whether to renew a one-year contract with Flock Safety, the company behind automated license plate reader cameras used by local law enforcement. The proposed extension would cost $854,200, up from the current $550,600 contract that expires at the end of June. But after hours of public comment Tuesday, supervisors opted to push the decision to April 21, citing unresolved questions about data privacy and government access to surveillance information."

"Public safety advocates rallied outside the meeting, urging county leaders to keep the system in place. Brenda Grisham with the Oakland Alliance for Public Safety argued the cameras have become essential at a time when departments are struggling with police staffing shortages. "If we don't have enough bodies, then we need technology to fill in the gaps," Grisham said. MORE: SF and Oakland police illegally shared license plate data with federal agencies: report"

"Supervisors acknowledged the competing concerns - including fears that, despite state law, data could be accessed by the Trump administration to conduct immigration enforcement. "It's really important to recognize that under this particular administration there are things happening that are not normal things, including potential for surveillance," said Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas. California law prohibits publicly funded license plate reader data from being shared with the federal government, including immigration enforcement agencies."

Alameda County supervisors postponed a vote on renewing a one-year Flock Safety contract, moving the decision to April 21 while questions remain about data privacy and government access. The proposed extension would cost $854,200, up from the current $550,600. Public safety advocates urged keeping the system, arguing technology is needed amid police staffing shortages. Opponents accused the company of oversurveilling communities of color and expressed distrust about how license-plate data are stored and shared. Supervisors voiced concerns about potential federal access for immigration enforcement despite California law prohibiting sharing, and Flock stated in January that it does not work with ICE.

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