According to Piedmont’s Flock Transparency Portal, Piedmont operates 57 license plate reader cameras and 150 agencies have access to Piedmont’s data. Would you vote to renew the contract with Flock Safety, and what would you do to increase transparency efforts around the program? What limits, if any, would you place on which agencies can access the data?
Nancy Beninati
(NancyforPiedmont.com)
Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) can be a valuable tool for law enforcement to investigate and identify vehicles involved in criminal activity. But technology that collects information about people moving through our community requires appropriate oversight, accountability, and transparency.
Recently, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) revealed its ALPR data was accessed by out-of-state and federal agencies contrary to state law and without SFPD’s permission. When SFPD officials raised the issue with Flock, a private company, they found the response unsatisfactory. A related issue arose in Richmond. These examples underscore that even when steps are taken to protect the information, oversight is necessary.
I have reviewed Piedmont’s ALPR policy. Given recent concerns about ALPR technology and Flock specifically, there should be a community discussion to consider whether our policy needs updating and to ensure our daily movements are protected. Piedmonters should understand how these systems are used, who can access the data and under what circumstances, and what protections exist against misuse. Mandatory audits must be thorough.
My goal is to ensure that our police have the tools they need to keep our community safe, while carefully evaluating their effectiveness and ensuring they are used responsibly, lawfully, and with appropriate oversight.
