Pierce County Sheriff Disables Automated License Plate Readers

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The Pierce County Sheriff's Office has turned off its automated license plate reader (ALPR) system, joining several other jurisdictions across Washington state that have temporarily or permanently shut down their Flock Safety ALPR devices over the past year due to concerns over privacy and civil liberties.

Why it matters

ALPRs have become increasingly common in many communities, raising concerns about government surveillance and the potential for misuse of the data collected. The decisions by these Washington state jurisdictions to disable the systems reflect a growing debate over the balance between public safety and individual privacy.

The details

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office cited privacy and civil liberties concerns as the reasons for disabling its ALPR system. Other jurisdictions in Washington, including Skamania County, Everett, Lynnwood, Olympia, and Redmond, have also taken similar actions to temporarily or permanently shut down their Flock Safety ALPR devices over the past year.

• The Pierce County Sheriff's Office turned off its ALPR system in March 2026.
• Several other Washington state jurisdictions have disabled their ALPR systems over the last year.

What’s next

It is unclear if the Pierce County Sheriff's Office or other jurisdictions in Washington will consider reinstating their ALPR systems in the future, as the debate over the technology's use continues.