The City Council received an update on the City’s review of Automated License Plate Recognition technology and its relationship with Flock Safety at the September 14, 2026 meeting. While this was not an agenda item, the council had requested that staff provide more information on the next steps to be taken in regard to the technology currently in use.
Assistant City Manager Lea Erikson reported for the city staff, noting that on July 13, [2026] the council highlighted “concerns and risks, and [requested] a broader discussion of the city’s relation with FLOCK.” The city designated that outreach on July 27, and Eriksen gave the details.
“The office met with Electronic Frontier Foundation, and invited them to participate in a future council meeting, they have indicated their willingness to do so. In addition the [Culver City] Police will present at their meeting their use of the technology and the controls that are in place. Representatives from FLOCK will also be available to answer questions.
“In parallel, the city is moving forward with an independent, vendor-neutral assessment of our [use of this specific technology] as well as the broader ALP marketplace, and deployment of alternative models.”
The update followed previous council concerns related to privacy, data governance, security, and public safety. Eriksen stated that “additional time is needed to complete a vendor-neutral assessment of ALPR technology.”
The assessment will return to the City Council for consideration as part of a broader discussion of public safety benefits, privacy concerns, data governance, security safeguards, and potential options moving forward.
No date has been made available yet for when the item will be on the council agenda.
Judith Martin-Straw
