Staff Reports | Community Updates
The city of Tempe has stopped sharing data from its Flock automated license plate readers in response to community privacy concerns and reported misuse of the system by two local law enforcement agencies.
Tempe previously limited data sharing to Arizona law enforcement agencies and will continue to respond to requests for information from agencies through established processes, according to a press release.
“While we had previously restricted data sharing to Arizona law enforcement agencies only, this additional step will further safeguard Tempe’s data and ensure we maintain appropriate control over access,” Tempe Police Chief Ken McCoy said.
Automated license plate readers use cameras to scan vehicle license plates and compare them with law enforcement databases. The technology can alert officers when a vehicle is reported stolen or associated with a missing person or crime.
The Tempe Police Department said it has used Flock Safety data only for law enforcement purposes and has established auditing procedures intended to prevent misuse.
Tempe Police audits searches conducted through the Flock Safety system monthly. Officers are required to enter report numbers when accessing system data, and entries are reviewed to determine whether the access was for a law enforcement purpose. The most recent audit was conducted Friday, Aug. 7, and found no misuse. The department said previous audits also found no misuse.
The department also has launched a Transparency Portal that displays data and usage metrics related to how the technology is operated and governed. The city plans to seek bids for an automated license plate reader vendor.
