Eugene Police Commission adopts ALPR policy amid public calls to disable Flock cameras; officer-response policy tabled

The Eugene Police Commission voted Oct. 9 to adopt policy 12-04 governing the department’s use of automated license-plate readers (ALPRs), after public comment urging the immediate shutdown and removal of privately operated Flock Safety cameras and a lengthy discussion about data retention, audit procedures and legal limits on sharing data with outside agencies.

The 10–0 vote with one abstention came after public commenters including Jacob True of Eyes Off Eugene and organizers from local groups pressed commissioners to oppose vendor-operated ALPR systems and to ensure any retained data could not be used for immigration enforcement or other federal investigations. Commissioners also voted unanimously to table a separate review of the department’s officer-response policy (policy 416) for further revision and community-informed clarification. The commission approved meeting minutes and adopted a reordered agenda earlier in the session.

Why it matters

ALPR systems and the private companies that operate them have become the focus of privacy and civil‑liberties concern in Eugene and other Oregon cities. The policy adopted by the commission sets local expectations for EPD’s use of ALPR technology — including who may query the system, inspection/audit practices and data-retention timelines — even as the City Council has asked the city manager to pause camera use pending further review.

What the public said

Several residents used the commission’s public-comment period to call for swift action. "I wear many hats in the community, but I'm here today with Eyes Off Eugene, a public safety advocacy group who has been pushing for the removal of clock cameras in our community," said Jacob True. True urged the commission to ensure cameras were turned off and suggested temporarily…