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East Palo Alto council narrows ALPR data retention to 30 days, mandates audits and restrictions
Summary
Police Chief Jeff Lou presented an amended automated license-plate reader policy that shortens data retention from Lexipol’s recommended one year to a maximum of 30 days, adds encryption and monthly audits, and restricts use and public disclosure. Council approved the policy with a direction to add periodic reporting.
The East Palo Alto Police Department returned to council with a tightened automated license plate reader (ALPR) policy, updating Lexipol’s draft to reflect the council’s concerns about retention, access, and oversight.
Police Chief Jeff Lou told the council that the department changed Lexipol’s original retention language "from the language it said up to 1 year, and we changed it to for a maximum of 30 days," explaining the shorter window was consistent with staff recommendations and council direction. Chief Lou outlined additional safeguards: all ALPR images and metadata will be encrypted when recorded and while stored in the vendor-hosted cloud; access will be limited to law enforcement and strictly regulated; monthly audits will be conducted; and staff who misuse data will face progressive discipline and retraining.
Council members pressed about privacy and how the policy would be reviewed over time. One councilmember proposed adding a requirement for periodic reporting; staff said the matter will be treated as a one-year pilot with quarterly and three-month check-ins and a transparency portal on the city website. After discussion, the council moved and approved the resolution adopting the East Palo Alto Police Department’s Policy 04‑28 as amended.
The approved policy narrows retention to 30 days while creating audit and accountability mechanisms intended to limit misuse and to publicly track ALPR use and outcomes.
