Saratoga Residents Debate Use of Automated License Plate Readers

Privacy vs. public safety concerns raised over ALPR cameras after Santa Clara County ended contract with Flock Safety

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:56pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Saratoga residents and organizations discussed privacy and public safety concerns regarding automated license plate readers (ALPRs) at an April 1 study session. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently voted to end the county's usage of Flock Safety ALPRs due to data access and sharing issues. While some Saratoga residents supported the ALPR cameras as a crime deterrent, others raised concerns about data privacy, potential targeting of vulnerable populations, and lack of transparency.

Why it matters

The debate over ALPRs in Saratoga reflects a broader discussion happening across the Bay Area about balancing public safety and individual privacy. As more cities and counties adopt these surveillance technologies, there are growing concerns about how the data is accessed and used, especially by law enforcement and federal agencies.

The details

Saratoga leased ALPR cameras from Flock Safety, with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office operating them as part of public safety contracts. However, the county recently voted to end its Flock Safety contract due to concerns about accidental data sharing and personal use by law enforcement. While the sheriff's office is no longer accessing the Flock data, the city and assessment districts are still paying for the service. Community members raised issues around surveillance, targeting of vulnerable groups, data transparency, and the tradeoff between public safety and privacy.

  • The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted on Feb. 24 to end the county's usage of Flock Safety ALPRs.
  • Los Altos Hills ended its Flock Safety contract on Jan. 15.
  • Mountain View ended their contract with Flock Safety on Feb. 24.
  • San Jose tightened data security and access around their police department's ALPR program on March 10.
  • The Saratoga City Council discussed the ALPR issue at an April 1 study session.

The players

Kimberly Wu

Representative from the Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network (SIREN), who expressed concerns that ALPR data can be used to target vulnerable populations like undocumented immigrants.

Musa Tariq

Representative from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, who shared concerns that Flock's ALPR data can be easily hacked.

Tim MacKenzie

Member of the Silicon Valley chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, who argued that Flock's cameras were inaccurate and that the company was more focused on profits than public safety.

Mr. Kapoor

Resident of the Horseshoe neighborhood in Saratoga, who said that he and his neighbors have installed and paid for ALPRs in that area, and that it has been a useful deterrent.

Ray Fraise

Representative from the Miljevich Neighborhood Watch, who rebuffed privacy concerns and said that cell phones also collect people's data.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“ALPRs do not keep us safe; they keep us afraid.”

— Kimberly Wu, Representative, Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network (SIREN)

“Saratoga residents should feel safe enough to move through their city without a large shadow looming over them.”

— Musa Tariq, Representative, Council on American-Islamic Relations

“Flock just wants to make money. They don't care about public safety like everyone here does.”

— Tim MacKenzie, Member, Silicon Valley chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America

What’s next

The Saratoga City Council is expected to further discuss the ALPR issue and potential policy changes at upcoming meetings.

The takeaway

The debate over automated license plate readers in Saratoga highlights the ongoing tensions between public safety and individual privacy, as cities and counties across the Bay Area grapple with the use of these surveillance technologies. Balancing these concerns will be a key challenge for local governments moving forward.