Lynnwood’s City Council on Monday moved to formalize a pause in the use of the city’s automatic license‑plate reader system pending a council review in early 2026.

The action followed nearly three hours of public comment and technical testimony focusing on how the Flock ALPR system has been used and audited. Quinn VanOrder, who said he obtained system audit records via public‑records requests, told the council he “found a myriad of searches with no case number provided” and identified entries that used placeholder or apparently fake case numbers such as “000” or “420.” "I would encourage you all to cancel the contract," VanOrder said during remarks to council (public comment).

Multiple other residents testified that the system risks privacy and can enable stalking or misuse by officers. Several asked the council to terminate the contract outright; others urged caution because of potential contractual liabilities. City staff and council members repeatedly noted the Lynnwood Police Department had already paused active use of the system while staff investigate.

Council President Nick Coelho moved the formal pause and framed it as a measured next step: “This is not what our council agreed to,” he said, arguing the product and its procurement did not meet the city’s expectations for transparency and security. The pause motion was approved by the council (voice vote recorded in meeting minutes).

Councilmember Escamilla later proposed a separate motion to cancel the ALPR contract immediately. That motion was introduced under new business and debated; council members raised concerns about legal and financial implications should the city terminate the contract before staff and legal review. Council ultimately did not approve immediate termination after debate and a recorded voice vote where the nays prevailed.

City staff and the police chief were directed to provide a fuller report to council, including contract terms, the nature of any grant funding, and options for termination or amendment. Council members repeatedly asked staff to assess potential liability, what portion of costs were covered by grants, and whether the contract included termination‑for‑convenience language. Councilmember Hurst said in discussion that the grant revenue for the ALPR equipment shown in the budget amendment was $132,700 and the related installation and expenditure was recorded about $171,154, leaving a city contribution on the order of roughly $39,000 (as discussed in the meeting), which staff agreed to clarify in follow‑up.

Next steps: staff will return in early 2026 with a detailed presentation on the system, legal exposure, and recommended council options. The police department’s operational pause remains in effect in the interim.