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Sheriff reports staffing gains, crime decline and says Agoura Hills did not share ALPR data nationally
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Summary
Captain Carr told the Agoura Hills City Council that patrol vacancies have fallen from 36 to 22, crime is down 12.5% year‑over‑year (39% vs. a five‑year average), and the station did not share automated license‑plate reader (ALPR) data nationally; Flock-brand sharing now requires a court order, he said.
Captain Carr, command representative from the Lost Hills Sheriff Station, told the Agoura Hills City Council on April 22 that the station has reduced patrol vacancies from 36 to 22 and will welcome three new patrol trainees in May.
"We're making slow but steady gains on our staffing," Captain Carr said, noting the station will host a public open house on May 2 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Carr said overall crime in Agoura Hills is down 12.5% year‑over‑year and is 39% lower than the five‑year average. "This year is the first time in 4 years we will have a summer crime team as well," he said, adding the team will provide additional patrols during the busy season.
On automated license‑plate readers, Carr addressed resident concerns arising from recent national‑media reports about some jurisdictions sharing ALPR data. He said Agoura Hills uses the Flock brand and that the department "met with Flock" and internal detectives; they were told that Agoura Hills data had not been shared nationally. "We did not share any information," Carr said, adding that a software update removed the option to share data without a valid court order. "Should this information change, I will come before council again and explain that update."
Carr described access controls for ALPR data: access is limited to detectives, supervisors and personnel operating the real‑time watch center for investigatory purposes, and is not available to every deputy on patrol. He emphasized that registered private cameras (for example, Ring doorbell systems) require owner authorization before the department accesses footage.
Council members asked whether the crime declines were attributable to cameras, the real‑time watch center or increased patrol presence. Carr said a combination of the real‑time watch center, quicker arrests of crime crews, ALPR utility and visible patrols contributed to the drop in residential burglaries and other incidents.
Mayor Pro Tem Deborah Klein Lopez and other council members thanked the station for the updates and for efforts to include education alongside enforcement in the city’s e‑bike work.
The council did not take formal action on the report; Carr invited additional questions and said he would return if any material changes occur.
