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Hayward council pulls vote on 30 additional license-plate readers after public privacy concerns
Summary
Council pulled a consent-item resolution authorizing 30 additional Flock license-plate readers for further review after public testimony raised questions about audio capture, NCIC linking and program effectiveness.
At the May 6 Hayward City Council meeting the council removed Item 10 from the consent calendar for additional review after public testimony raised privacy, policy and effectiveness concerns about expanding the city’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) network.
Mike Katzlakabe, research director at Oakland Privacy, urged the council to reject or delay authorization for 30 additional Flock ALPR units. Katzlakabe said the staff report’s description of the Flock system — which it said could include “high resolution imagery, sound capture, and powerful search capabilities” — raised alarm. He noted potential inclusion of immigration-related records in NCIC and questioned whether Hayward’s use of NCIC with the system might conflict with California’s SB 54 (the California Values Act). Katzlakabe also said the staff report relied on vendor-provided accuracy claims and lacked an independent effectiveness analysis for the existing 64 cameras.
Supporters spoke in favor of more cameras at the meeting. A representative from Hayward Concerned Citizens told the council that the ALPRs have been effective and said Chief Matthews reported a reduction in stolen cars in a recent public safety committee meeting.
Council members agreed more information was needed. Councilmember Zirmeno asked whether the existing fleet records audio; staff answered that the currently installed units do not record audio but said the current contract iteration being proposed appeared to have advanced capabilities. Councilmember Roach asked for documentation on whether other agencies used NCIC with Flock and whether audio options could be disabled.
Councilmember Zirmeno moved to pull Item 10 from the consent calendar for further review; Mayor Pro Tem Roach seconded. The remainder of the consent calendar (items 1–11 excluding item 10) passed unanimously. The council directed staff to provide additional details — including whether audio capture is available or enabled, the department’s analysis of the existing cameras’ effectiveness, and the legal implications of linking ALPR data to NCIC — before the item returns for formal action.
