Flock plate reader use ends in Cupertino and Saratoga

SAN JOSE — The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office can no longer use certain automated license-plate readers in the West Valley communities of Cupertino and Saratoga following a vote by the Board of Supervisors, the agency announced Thursday.

The board this week adopted a surveillance use policy that prohibits the sheriff’s office from using Flock Safety as an ALPR vendor, according to the sheriff’s office. While Cupertino and Saratoga lease the cameras from the company, the sheriff’s office has operated them as part of policing contracts it carries out in the two cities.

“To comply with the policy, we are now restricted from further use,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

The sheriff’s office said the board’s decision was based on mounting concerns about data security and information sharing practices, not the agency’s “management of the system or the effectiveness of ALPR technology in supporting public safety.”

“We want to reassure residents that the sheriff’s office has always followed county surveillance requirements and has never shared ALPR data with any federal agency, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” the sheriff’s office said.

The San Jose Police Department is also pursuing a policy that would rein in data retention and access for outside agencies. And the Mountain View City Council voted this week to end its contract with Flock after an audit found that one camera was accessed by federal agencies.

The sheriff’s office said it continues to “support the responsible deployment of ALPR technology,” adding that the plate readers have helped deputies recover more than 50 stolen vehicles, locate 30 stolen plates and serve 33 warrants. They have also played a role in five missing persons cases, according to the sheriff’s office.

“License plate readers help us solve violent crimes and keep our neighbors safe,” Santa Clara County Sheriff Robert Jonsen said. “The results speak for themselves.”

Any future system in Cupertino or Saratoga will depend on decisions made by each city, the sheriff’s office said, adding that it “remains committed to supporting public safety while upholding strong privacy protections and meeting all county oversight requirements.”