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CC - ACTION ITEM: 1) Presentations Regarding Flock Safety ALPR Technology; 2) Discussion of and, if Desired, Possible Action Regarding ALPR Policies, Independent Assessments, Continued Use, and Other Direction Associated with the Police Department’s Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Program.
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Meeting Date: November 16, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Assistant Police Chief Andrew Bellante/ Police Department;
Stephen Agostini / City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6396
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (11/12/2026)
Department Approval: Troy Dunlap, Interim Chief of Police (07/22/2026); Stephen Agostini / City Manager’s Office (11/11/2026.)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council:
Receive a presentation from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and/or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) concerning automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, including privacy and related concerns, related to the City’s use of Flock Safety ALPR;
Receive a presentation from the Culver City Police Department and discuss the Culver City Police Department’s Flock Safety ALPR policies and procedures and consider the following actions, individually or in combination:
a. If desired, award a professional services agreement for ALPR Cybersecurity, Privacy, Contract Risk Assessment and ALPR Market, Architecture and Deployment Strategy, to Gartner, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $290,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, subject to City Attorney review;
b. Discuss and provide direction, as needed, to the Chief of Police regarding the policies and procedures associated with and continued use the Culver City Police Department’s Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program.
c. Provide other direction to the City Manager regarding the ALPR program.
BACKGROUND
On May 8, 2023, the City Council approved a five-year contract with Flock Group, Inc. to provide the Culver City Police Department (CCPD) an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system. Prior to City Council approval, CCPD conducted extensive community outreach to allow for public comment and to answer any questions and address any community concerns regarding ALPR cameras. The outreach consisted of numerous community meetings, a meeting with the then existing Ad Hoc Police Subcommittee, a meeting with the Chief’s Advisory Panel, and a scheduled public meeting that was highly advertised and held on March 30, 2023, at City Council Chambers, as required by Senate Bill 34.
Approximately 40 community members attended the public meeting. During the meeting, many comments were received from area residents who were in support of the Department’s proposed ALPR program. Additionally, the Department received several questions and concerns related to ALPR data being used for immigration enforcement purposes and enforcing out-of-state laws related to reproductive rights and gender affirming care. The Department listened to, assessed, and incorporated the concerns of community members in the Department’s ALPR policy.
A robust ALPR policy was created and implemented to ensure that all community members’ privacy rights are protected and that under no circumstances would the department’s ALPR data be used or shared for the purpose of conducting immigration enforcement or to investigate or arrest any person for performing, supporting, or aiding in the performance of an abortion, or for coming to the state of California to receive any type of gender affirming care treatment, all pursuant to existing California law.
Policy/Privacy Rights
CCPD has an extensive policy specific to the Department's ALPR program (Attachment 1). Prior to implementing the program, the policy was reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office. It outlines access, administration, operation, data sharing, data retention, and accountability. In creating the policy, the CCPD utilized the strictest industry standards to protect community members’ privacy rights. CCPD continuously examines the policy to ensure compliance with up-to-date California and Federal law with respect to how the data is accessed, stored, and shared. All Flock ALPR data is handled in accordance with Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy standards, ensuring it remains fully CJIS compliant for secure storage, access, and transmission.
Key provisions of the Department’s ALPR policy pertaining to privacy rights, data sharing, and transparency include but are not limited to the following:
• All data obtained from the ALPR cameras is owned by CCPD.
• ALPR data will not be stored or retained by the CCPD or Flock Safety beyond a period of 30 days. After 30 days, the data will be permanently deleted, unless it is used for an active criminal investigation.
• Access to the data will be strictly regulated and is for law enforcement personnel only.
• CCPD does not permit the sharing of ALPR data gathered by the City or its contractors/subcontractors for the purpose of federal immigration enforcement, pursuant to the California Values Act (Senate Bill 54) and City Council Policy (Resolution No. 2017-R025).
• The Administrator of the data collection (A CCPD Manager or Supervisor) or any member of CCPD shall not share information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or any agency conducting immigration enforcement or removal operations.
• The Administrator of the data collection or any member of CCPD shall not share ALPR data with any law enforcement agency or federal law enforcement agency for the purpose of investigating and/or participating in the arrest of any person for performing, supporting, or aiding in the performance of an abortion or any type of gender affirming treatment or for obtaining an abortion or any type of gender affirming treatment.
• All authorized users are required to complete Department training before being granted access, and access is controlled by system administrators, who are at least at a supervisory level.
• Users are provided with unique login credentials and are prohibited from sharing these with others or using someone else’s credentials. Personnel will be issued individual access codes, so all uses of the system are tracked.
• Any authorized user conducting an inquiry into the system must log in using their secure login credentials and must provide a reason for the inquiry (case number or reason for the search).
• Internal audits shall be conducted of ALPR detection browsing inquiries at least once during each calendar year.
• Users who violate the Department's ALPR policy are subject to discipline under Department policy and could also face criminal prosecution under data security and protection laws.
Transparency/Accountability Measures
On July 10, 2025, CCPD implemented a series of enhanced transparency, accountability, and privacy measures governing its use of ALPR technology. These measures include prohibiting the sharing of ALPR data with any outside law enforcement agency and ensuring that ALPR data collected by the CCPD remains under the exclusive control of the Department. To further promote public transparency, the Department began publishing monthly reports on its website detailing every ALPR search and audit conducted by all CCPD personnel (including the date, time and reason for search), making this information publicly accessible for community review. The Department also posts the location of every fixed ALPR camera on its website, providing residents with clear information regarding where the technology is deployed. In addition, CCPD has also implemented enhanced search authorization, auditing, and security protocols to strengthen oversight of ALPR queries conducted by Department personnel, reinforcing compliance with applicable laws, Department policy, and the City's commitment to protecting individual privacy while maintaining public safety.
Council Direction and Stakeholder Engagement
On July 13, 2026, City Council requested a presentation from EFF, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), or the Center for Police Equity concerning risks associated with the Flock system and discussion of whether to change, end, or otherwise review the City’s relationship with Flock. On July 27, 2026, Council reached consensus that the City Manager would serve as the point person to facilitate discussions with stakeholders concerning Flock cameras and privacy implications. The City Manager’s Office met with EFF on August 5, 2026, requested that EFF present to Council, and EFF indicated its willingness to do so. In addition, ACLU has also indicated its willingness to present on this item.
On September 13, 2026 a brief verbal update was provided to City Council regarding the intention to move forward with an independent, vendor-neutral assessment of the City’s ALPR technology. The scope of the assessment included examining cybersecurity, privacy, data governance and contractual risk, as well as the broader ALPR marketplace and alternative deployment models. The intention was to complete the assessment prior to bringing this item back to City Council for review and action. However, only one vendor responded to the full scope of work and the amount exceeds the City Manager’s contract authority.
DISCUSSION
With the evolving advancement of technology, ALPRs have become a modern-day investigatory tool for numerous law enforcement agencies throughout the nation, state, and Los Angeles region. ALPR technology has become an industry standard that has proven to be an effective and efficient resource for CCPD to detect, solve, prevent, and deter crime in a focused and unbiased manner.
It is estimated that vehicles are used in over 70 percent of crimes that are committed. ALPR systems function to capture a vehicle's license plate automatically, then compare the captured license plate number to one or more databases of vehicles of interest to law enforcement. The automated capture, analysis, and comparison of vehicle license plates typically occur within seconds and alerts officers almost immediately when a stolen or vehicle wanted in connection with a crime is identified.
These fixed cameras only capture images of rear license plates that travel on public roadways and do not identify any individual or access anyone’s personal information through their analysis of license plate characters. The data captured by ALPRs is anonymous, and officers can only identify the registered owner of a vehicle by querying separate state government databases, such as the DMV, to obtain the registered owner information. Under strict regulations and audit procedures, ALPR data may only be accessed for lawful law enforcement investigative purposes. It should be noted that ALPR cameras do not take or retain images of the driver or the occupants of a vehicle and do not retain any information associated with a registered vehicle owner’s preferred political party or any other personal information.
In November 2023, CCPD launched its ALPR program installing 52 cameras at 27 different intersections throughout the City. CCPD’s ALPR cameras have been instrumental in enhancing the Department’s ability to prevent, deter, and solve crime. Since the implementation of the ALPR program, CCPD has observed significant public safety improvements, including the following results:
• 180 arrests of suspects driving vehicles that were reported stolen.
• Over 100 arrests of individuals driving vehicles entering the City that were utilized in felony crimes including violent crimes such as murder, armed robbery, armed carjacking, and assault with a deadly weapon.
• Numerous arrests of suspects found in possession of illegal items, including:
o Loaded Ghost guns (12 guns recovered directly related to ALPR notifications)
o Narcotics
o Identity theft materials
o Stolen property
o Burglary tools
• ALPR cameras have been directly responsible for identifying approximately 300 vehicles and suspects (110 year to date in 2026) involved in crimes committed in Culver City, leading to their apprehension.
• Enhanced case clearance rates from 2023 to 2025, including:
o An approximate 15% increase in violent crime case clearance
o An approximate 15% increase in property crime case clearance
• An overall 19.8% reduction in overall crime from 2023 to 2025, including:
o An approximate 38% decrease in motor vehicle theft
o An approximate 23% reduction in theft
o An approximate 32% reduction in burglary
o An approximate 17% decrease in aggravated assault
o An approximate 6% decrease in robbery
These outcomes reflect the ALPR program’s effectiveness as a proactive tool in crime prevention, suspect identification, and enhanced public safety without the collection of the personal information of the registered owner of the vehicle, the driver, or any occupants.
Independent Assessment Procurement and Council Options
The City developed two separately awardable scopes of work for independent review of the ALPR program. Scope A, ALPR Cybersecurity, Privacy and Contract Risk Assessment, addresses the current Flock arrangement, cybersecurity, privacy and data governance, and contractual risk. Scope B, ALPR Market, Architecture and Deployment Strategy, addresses alternative vendors and deployment models, comparative considerations, and long-term technology strategy. Proposals have been solicited and only one vendor Gartner, Inc. submitted for both scopes of work.
Per Culver City Municipal Code Section 3.07.065.A., the City may award contracts in any amount for professional services based upon competitive quotations, whenever practical, as determined by the City Manager. Due to the importance of bringing this matter back to City Council in a timely manner, it was determined that soliciting additional competitive quotations was not practical.
If desired, Council may also consider directing the Police Chief to suspend use of the Flock ALPR system, either pending completion of the assessments or for another period specified by Council. Before implementing any suspension, staff would need to address operational effects on investigations, preservation and access to records and evidence, contractual and payment obligations, equipment status, and any necessary policy changes. Council may instead maintain current operations pending additional review, modify policies or practices, or provide other direction.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Receiving the EFF presentation and discussing policy options do not, by themselves, require a new appropriation. Contract awards would result in expenditures from the Operating Reserve of up to a combined total of $290,000. A suspension may have contractual or operational fiscal implications that require review; no savings or costs from suspension are assumed in this report.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-11-16_ATT 1_2026-08-10 ATT1 ALPR Policy No. 428.
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
recommended action
1. Receive the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and/or American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) presentation regarding Flock Safety ALPR technology and receive a presentation from the Culver City Police Department and discuss the Police Department’s ALPR program and related policies and procedures;
2. If desired, award a professional services agreement for ALPR Cybersecurity, Privacy, Contract Risk Assessment and ALPR Market, Architecture and Deployment Strategy, to Gartner, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $290,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, subject to City Attorney review;
3. Discuss the Police Department’s Automated License Plate Reader Policy; and
4. Provide direction, as needed, to the Chief of Police regarding the policies and procedures associated with and the continued use of the Police Department’s Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program.
5. Provide other direction to the City Manager.
