TEMPE, AZ — The City of Tempe has announced it is turning off all Flock automated license plate reader systems and will end its contract with the company.
The announce follows a number of over cities across the Valley that made the same move.
City officials say the cameras are no longer collecting license plate data and will be removed by Flock. The city is not looking for an alternative to replace the system at this time.
“These cameras have helped our police officers do their jobs, and we don't discount that,” said Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. “But the risk of misuse is too great. We have to be able to provide public safety in a way that maintains the trust of our community. For Tempe, that means taking these cameras down.”
Earlier this month, Tempe announced it ended automatic data sharing from Flock Safety's automated license plate readers and launched an online transparency portal displaying how the technology is used in response to community concerns over privacy and recent misuse within other Valley law enforcement agencies.
Recent cases involving the misuse of automated license plate reader systems in Arizona and nationwide have raised concerns about the risks that come with the technology.
