Federal Agencies Accessed El Cerrito's License Plate Reader Data

Concerns raised over privacy as FBI, U.S. Postal Service accessed records

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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El Cerrito police revealed that several federal agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Postal Service, accessed data from the city's Flock Safety license plate readers between 2023 and 2025, raising privacy concerns among residents. Officials say settings have been tightened and no immigration agencies searched the records. Residents can ask questions at a public meeting on March 10.

Why it matters

The use of license plate reader technology by law enforcement agencies has raised privacy concerns, as the data collected can be used to track the movements of individuals. El Cerrito's revelation that federal agencies accessed this data adds to these concerns and highlights the need for transparency and oversight around how this technology is used.

The details

According to the police, the federal agencies accessed the license plate reader data through settings that have since been tightened. Officials say no immigration agencies searched the records. Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions about the data access at a public meeting on March 10.

  • Between 2023 and 2025, federal agencies accessed El Cerrito's license plate reader data.
  • A public meeting to discuss the data access will be held on March 10, 2026 at 4 p.m.

The players

El Cerrito Police

The local law enforcement agency that oversees the city's license plate reader program and revealed the federal data access.

Flock Safety

The company that provides the license plate reader technology used by the El Cerrito Police.

FBI

One of the federal agencies that accessed the license plate reader data from El Cerrito.

U.S. Postal Service

Another federal agency that accessed the license plate reader data from El Cerrito.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Residents can attend the public meeting on March 10 to ask questions and voice concerns about the federal agencies' access to the license plate reader data.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around the use of license plate reader technology and the need for strict privacy protections and oversight to ensure that this data is not misused by law enforcement or other government agencies.