Redwood City defends license plate reader program amid rising privacy concerns
Redwood City, California – People living in number of cities in California have expressed concern about the expanding usage of Automated License Plate Reader technology. This has led local officials to explain how the systems are maintained and monitored. Leaders in Redwood City argue that public safety and personal privacy remain closely related goals that guide how the technology is used and reviewed.
The city says that the Redwood City Police Department’s license plate reader technology is in line with state law and has built-in protections to prevent people from using it for the wrong reasons. These precautions include limiting how long data can be held (30 days at most) and closely controlling who can see the information. The department also does regular audits and puts out transparency reports to let residents know how the system works in real life.
Officials say that since the technology went live, it has helped investigators find stolen cars, missing people, and suspects in important criminal cases. City officials say that the system is more of a targeted investigative tool than a broad monitoring tool. They also stress that oversight and regular evaluation remain their responsibility.
The contract between Redwood City and Flock Safety, which runs its fixed-location camera network, is set to end in September 2026. City staff see that schedule as a chance to get feedback from the community and talk to advisory groups before making a formal request for proposals that could change the program’s future.
As part of that assessment process, officials will likely talk to the Police Advisory Committee as they think about their vendor options and technical capabilities.
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The city’s public reporting portal has further information about the program, including as operational data and information about how open it is.
