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Council keeps Flock ALPR program in place after heated public debate; status quo from December stands
Summary
After more than three hours of public comment and council debate, the City Council voted not to reauthorize a ban on the Flock ALPR program and left the December authorization in place, allowing the city manager to proceed with contract terms up to the previously authorized annual appropriation.
The East Palo Alto City Council on April 21th debated whether to end the city—ontract with Flock Safety, the automated license plate reader (ALPR) vendor, after an extended public-comment period that drew dozens of speakers both for and against the program.
Chief Liu, the city—hief of police, told the council the cameras have been "a very effective crime-solving tool," saying the system has helped identify suspect vehicles and accelerate investigations of serious incidents. He described the department's safeguards: mandatory case numbers and crime codes for searches, restricted approval authority, monthly public audits and a 30-day retention policy for ALPR data.
Opposition speakers — including Scott Herscher and many East Palo Alto residents and immigrant-rights advocates —…
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