TEMPE, AZ — The City of Tempe, Town of Cave Creek and Chandler have announced the termination of Flock automated license plate reader systems, following a number of other cities across the Valley that have made the same move.
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.
Tempe
City of Tempe 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.”
The mayor said a specific date at which Flock Safety will remove the cameras has not been communicated yet.
Speaking to reporters, Councilmember Bobby Nichols said ending Tempe's Flock contract was "not a complicated issue."
"There are some things, like these Flock cameras and ALPRs in general, where we know what needs to be done," Nichols said.
When asked if any privacy safeguards would ease his concerns on ALPRs, Nichols said, “The business model requires a consistent infringement of our Fourth Amendment rights … the only way for them to remove that risk is by fundamentally changing the business model.”
“I don't think the financial incentives exist to make that change," the freshman councilmember said. "I look forward to being proven wrong.”
Flock Safety points to court rulings nationwide that have found its system does not violate the Fourth Amendment. Tempe Police has credited its Real-Time Operations Center, which utilized Flock cameras, with more than 1,200 investigative assists since it launched in the summer of 2024.
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.
Cave Creek
Town of Cave Creek officials said Wednesday they are also terminating their contract with Flock.
"This decision follows careful consideration of resident concerns, policy limitations, and recent events related to the use of the FLOCK system," a press release read.
Officials say they "originally sought to find a balance between improving law enforcement capabilities and protecting the privacy of residents. However, it became clear that any local policy or safeguards could not extend beyond the Town’s jurisdiction..."
Town officials are set to formally address the termination of the contract at the September 1 Town Council meeting.
Chandler
All 36 existing, installed Flock cameras have been covered so they no longer can capture images, according to the City of Chandler.
Four Flock cameras that were in the process of being relocated have not been reinstalled after the city decided to discontinue their use.
The City of Chandler says Flock's timeline for the removals of equipment is still pending.
The City also consulted with Flock to ensure the cameras were not damaged in the process.
