Legislation Details

File #: 26-264    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Informational Report Status: Passed
File created: 3/23/2026 In control: Board of Supervisors
On agenda: 6/2/2026 Final action: 6/2/2026
Title: Automated License Plate Reader Program
Sponsors: Steve Madrone
Attachments: 1. Staff Report, 2. Summary of Flock-related actions by other California jurisdictions, 3. Flock Safety Use and Privacy Policy, 4. California Attorney General Guidance on ALPR Compliance 2023, 5. File #24-0325 Staff Report dated April 9,2024, 6. Flock Amendment 2025.07.01-2027.06.30, 7. Flock Agreement 2023.03.24-2027.06.30, 8. Public Comment on G.1
To: Board of Supervisors

From: Supervisor Steve Madrone

Agenda Section: Initiated by Board Member

Vote Requirement: Majority

SUBJECT:title
Automated License Plate Reader Programend

RECOMMENDATION(S):Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive a briefing on the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office automated license plate reader program; and
2. Provide direction to staff regarding next steps, including, without limitation, whether to request a formal review of the automated license plate reader program's compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws regulations and standards.

Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors' Strategic Plan:

Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1001 -Support and sustain partnerships between public safety and partner agencies to enhance public safety in our communities

DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has deployed an automated license plate reader system operated by Flock Safety, a private technology company that provides automated license plate reader systems to law enforcement agencies under subscription contracts. Flock cameras capture license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions and associated metadata, including, without limitation, time, location and direction of travel for all vehicles passing through camera coverage areas, regardless of any suspicion of criminal activity. Flock's automated license plate reader system is notable for its network architecture which allows participating agencies to share their data with other Flock customers statewide or nationally.

California's primary statutory framework governing automated license plate reader system use is Senate Bill 34 (2015), which requires, without limitation, public agencies to adopt a usage and privacy policy that is available to the public and limit the sharing of automated license plate reader data to other California public agencies...

Click here for full text