Scottsdale preparing to cut ties with Flock Safety as it develops new ALPR regulations

Scottsdale is preparing to cut ties with Flock Safety while developing a new policy for how the city could use automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, from other vendors.

After police officials made the case Tuesday that ALPRs make the community safer, the Scottsdale City Council unanimously approved a wide-ranging motion related to the controversial surveillance technology.

“Public safety and our residents’ right to privacy should never be viewed as competing priorities,” Mayor Lisa Borowsky said in a news release. “I will always prioritize and emphasize both. … [The] unanimous vote sends a clear message that Scottsdale is committed to ensuring this technology is used responsibly, transparently and with meaningful, strict safeguards that protect the public’s trust.”

The motion says the Scottsdale City Council does not intend to renew its current contract with Flock after it expires June 30, 2027. The motion also directs staff to review the contract and see what needs to be done to terminate it, and to prepare for a transition to a new ALPR vendor.

ALPRs have become controversial as citizens push back against mass surveillance and the potential for it to be misused, leading multiple Arizona cities to pull the plug on Flock.

Scottsdale to consider new ALPR policy

Staff was also directed to prepare an ordinance that regulates ALPRs in a way that gives the city more control over data ownership, privacy and security.

The ordinance, which will be on the Dec. 1 City Council meeting agenda, will include criminal penalties for misusing the system.

“For months, residents have asked important questions about how this technology is being used and what safeguards are in place,” Borowsky said. “This ordinance is our opportunity to put strict protections into law, increase transparency and ensure Scottsdale has some of the strongest accountability standards in Arizona.”

Here is a summary from Borowsky’s office on what city staff was tasked with under last week’s motion:

• Draft a formal ordinance governing Scottsdale’s use of ALPR technology, including criminal penalties for misuse.
• Conduct independent audits, including an initial audit followed by annual reviews by the City Auditor.
• Evaluate alternative ALPR vendors and provide options that offer greater city control over data ownership, privacy, security and data sharing.
• Review Scottsdale’s contract with Flock Safety and report on termination provisions, costs, data disposition requirements and transition options.
• Develop a vendor transition plan to ensure public safety capabilities remain in place if the city changes providers.
• Prepare for a future transition from Flock Safety, with city leadership directed not to include funding for the contract in the proposed FY 2027-28 budget.
• Explore creating a public technology transparency webpage identifying law enforcement technologies used by the city.
• Consider limiting the number of city employees with access to ALPR technology and data.
• Prohibit federal access to Scottsdale’s ALPR data, except when required by law, such as through a valid subpoena or warrant.
• Require annual training and signed attestations for all authorized users, along with annual policy reviews.
• Review the current data retention schedule and pursue a shorter retention period if appropriate.
• Return with additional recommendations staff believes would strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability.

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