Sonora, CA—The city of Sonora and the Sonora Police Department say they do not own or operate Flock Safety cameras and do not contract with Flock Safety for camera equipment, data storage, or related services. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, meanwhile, says it has not implemented any automated license plate reader devices.
In a statement issued by City Administrator Chris Gorsky and Sonora Police Chief Turu Vanderwiel, the city said its automated license plate reader systems are self-hosted within city infrastructure, with the city retaining ownership and control of the data stored on those systems. The city said the data is not automatically shared through an automated license plate reader network and that access to its systems is controlled through detailed user permissions intended to prevent unauthorized outside access. Sonora officials said the technology is used to prevent and investigate crime and is not intended to monitor legal activities.
“The City and Police Department have clear policies for how information is used, accessed, secured, kept, and shared,” the statement said. “These rules are meant to protect your privacy while helping police use technology for real public safety and investigations.”
The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office has also issued a statement that it has not implemented an ALPR system. Sheriff David Vasquez said his office has spent more than a year researching automated license plate reader technology and discussing its potential use with the community. The Sheriff’s Office is still evaluating whether and how the technology could be implemented, including potential contract costs, policies and other expenses. The Sheriff’s Office also does not collect or maintain ALPR data from other law enforcement agencies, Vasquez said. When an ALPR search could assist a criminal investigation, the Sheriff’s Office asks the agency that operates the system to conduct the search within its own system and provide relevant information.
The clarifications come amid growing scrutiny of Flock Safety, a company that has become one of the most recognizable names in automated license plate reader technology. Flock cameras use cameras and software to capture vehicle license plates and other identifying characteristics, allowing law enforcement agencies to search for vehicles associated with criminal investigations. The technology has become controversial in communities around the country because of concerns about how long vehicle-location data is retained, who can access it, and whether information collected by one law enforcement agency can be shared with other agencies. Supporters argue that license plate readers can help police locate stolen vehicles, identify vehicles connected to crimes, and develop investigative leads.
At present, Sonora operates its own locally controlled ALPR system, while the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office has no ALPR devices and is still evaluating whether to establish a system of its own.
