Fresno Ends Contract with Flock Safety Over Privacy Concerns, Seeks New Vendor
Fresno is ending its contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate readers due to concerns over unauthorized data searches by out-of-state law enforcement and privacy issues. The city is now searching for a new vendor and considering new guidelines…
Fresno Visalia, CA, November 11, 2026 —
The city of Fresno is terminating its contract with Flock Safety for the provision of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology. This decision stems from significant concerns regarding unauthorized data searches conducted by law enforcement agencies located outside of California, as well as broader privacy issues associated with the system.
Fresno is currently in the process of seeking a new vendor to potentially replace the ALPR system. As part of this transition, the city is also contemplating the implementation of new guidelines. These proposed guidelines may encompass critical elements such as data retention policies and enhanced auditing procedures to govern the use and access of ALPR data.
The contractor’s name, Flock Safety, was explicitly mentioned in the information provided. However, details regarding the specific timeline of the contract termination or the financial implications were not provided.
Experts in the field have voiced skepticism regarding the move. They suggest that alternative vendors offering similar ALPR technology might present comparable privacy risks to those identified with Flock Safety. Furthermore, there are ongoing questions about the unproven effectiveness of ALPR technology in solving serious criminal cases. The specific outcomes of any inspections or code violations related to the previous contract were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Julianna Morano on fresnoland.org, see more information here.
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