TO: Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Quintan Ortega, Police Chief
SUBJECT:
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Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Program
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RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
recommendation
Provide direction to staff regarding the City's ALPR Program by selecting one or more of the following options:
1) Continue the City’s existing Motorola Solutions - Vigilant ALPR Program and direct staff to review and update, as necessary, the police department ALPR policy with guidance from the City Attorney.
a. Continue existing data sharing agreements; or
b. Discontinue automatic data sharing with outside agencies through the Vigilant System until further legislation or governance is in place.
i. Outside agencies would be required to submit a formal request for information, which Red Bluff Police Department (RBPD) would review and process in accordance with applicable law and department policy.
2) Terminate the current five-year Motorola Solutions - Vigilant ALPR Agreement.
a. Approve a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $21,455.55 for agreement termination costs.
3) Continue allowing the Tehama County Sheriff's Office to utilize City of Red Bluff right-of-way (streets) for the placement and operation of Flock Safety ALPR cameras.
4) Discontinue allowing the Tehama County Sheriff's Office to utilize City of Red Bluff right-of-way for the placement and operation of Flock Safety ALPR cameras and direct staff to provide appropriate notice to the Sheriff's Office.
5) Direct staff to explore alternative arrangements with the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office regarding Flock Safety cameras located on City property, including:
a. Relocation of cameras out of City of Red Bluff right-of-way;
b. Execution of a formal agreement governing camera placement, maintenance, data, ownership, access, auditing, and liability; or
c. Continued operation subject to additional City approved privacy, transparency, and reporting requirements.
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SUMMARY:
The City of Red Bluff has maintained an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program since 2016, when the City Council approved implementation of the program through funding provided by the Tehama Interagency Drug Enforcement (TIDE) Board.
The Red Bluff Police Department currently operates eight ALPR cameras located at two fixed locations and two mobile radar/message-board trailers. The Department's current agreement with Motorola Solutions - Vigilant Solutions is a five-year agreement totaling $35,455.57 and is scheduled to expire in 2031, unless extended. Beginning in 2027, and as part of the agreement, the annual licensing and support cost will be $5,009.00 per year after the initial payment of $14,000.02 made earlier this year.
The ALPR system is an investigative tool used by law enforcement to assist in locating vehicles associated with criminal investigations, stolen vehicles, missing persons, and other public safety matters. The system captures license plate images and associated vehicle images, which may provide investigators with investigative leads when a vehicle is associated with a legitimate law enforcement inquiry.
Access to ALPR information is limited to authorized users and legitimate law enforcement purposes. Our ALPR policy follows applicable Federal and California law. The Department utilizes Lexipol, which is a policy management group founded by California attorneys and former law enforcement officers and used by law enforcement agencies nationwide.
The annual recurring cost of maintaining the City's ALPR system beginning in 2027 is approximately $5,009. The Department believes the system provides investigative benefits that exceed the annual operating cost by assisting with vehicle related investigations, stolen vehicle recovery, suspect identification, and interagency criminal investigations.
Flock Safety and Axon/Insight ALPR Systems:
The City of Red Bluff does not have a contract with Flock Safety or Axon, which are other providers of ALPR technology.
There are currently three locations within the City limits of Red Bluff where Flock ALPR cameras are installed. Two additional locations have been identified and are pending installation based upon direction provided by the City Council. These cameras are not owned or operated by the City of Red Bluff or the Red Bluff Police Department.
The Tehama County Sheriff's Office currently maintains Flock Safety ALPR cameras at locations within the City of Red Bluff and pays all costs associated with those cameras. Certain camera installations utilize City right-of-way pursuant to permission previously granted by the City. Red Bluff Police Department officers have access to applicable Flock ALPR data through the Tehama County Sheriff's Office. That access provides investigators with an additional investigative resource without the City having a contractual relationship with a different vendor and at no cost to the City.
Should the City Council elect to discontinue allowing the use of City right-of-way, the Sheriff's Office may have the ability to relocate those cameras to alternative locations under County jurisdiction, private property, utility easements, or other locations where permission can be obtained. Consequently, removal of cameras from City right-of-way may not necessarily result in the removal of Flock ALPR coverage within the City limits.
Alternatively, the City Council may choose to continue allowing the cameras to remain in City right-of-way while directing staff to develop a formal agreement governing placement, maintenance responsibilities, indemnification, insurance requirements, ownership of equipment, auditing expectations, and any privacy or transparency requirements desired by the City.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
At the October 20, 2026, regular City Council meeting, Council requested the ALPR program return for the potential of keeping the program, terminating the program, and/or discontinuing allowing Tehama County to utilize City property for the Flock ALPR system.
At the September 15, 2026, regular City Council meeting, Council requested the ALPR program return for direction to staff.
At the September 1, 2026, regular City Council meeting, Council requested information regarding the City's ALPR program.
On December 20, 2016, the Red Bluff City Council Conducted a public hearing regarding the implementation of the ALPR program pursuant to Senate Bill 34; approved receipt of $140,000 from the Tehama Interagency Drug Enforcement (TIDE) Board for implementation of the ALPR’s; authorized Lehr Auto Electric as the sole source vendor for Vigilant Solutions ALPR software and equipment in the amount of $132,911.83; and approved the supplemental appropriation from the TIDE Grant revenue account to the TIDE Expenditures account.
DISCUSSION:
The City currently has eight ALPR cameras located at two fixed locations and two mobile radar/message board trailers. Each fixed location has two cameras providing coverage for vehicles as they approach or leave the location. The mobile radar/message board trailers are equipped with forward and rear facing cameras to capture license plates as vehicles approach and/or pass the trailer.
All City owned ALPR cameras are provided through Motorola Solutions - Vigilant Solutions. Patrol vehicles are no longer equipped with ALPR cameras due to funding limitations and outdated equipment.
ALPR systems are deployed within the public right-of-way and are legally authorized investigative tools used by law enforcement. The Red Bluff Police Department's use of ALPR technology is governed by applicable federal and state law, California Department of Justice requirements, and department policies and procedures. Access to ALPR information is limited to legitimate law enforcement purposes and is subject to auditing and accountability requirements.
The Department recognizes that the use of ALPR technology may generate questions regarding privacy and the collection, retention, and sharing of information. The Department's intent is to ensure that the technology is used appropriately and responsibly while providing officers and investigators with a tool that can assist in legitimate law enforcement investigations.
Use of ALPR Technology:
ALPR technology captures license plates and associated vehicle images as vehicles pass a camera. The system records information such as the license plate, date, time, and location of the detection.
Authorized users can conduct searches of the ALPR database when there is a legitimate law enforcement purpose. The information can provide officers and investigators with leads regarding the location or movement of a vehicle that may be associated with a criminal investigation.
ALPR technology can assist in:
• Locating stolen vehicles
• Developing investigative leads in criminal cases
• Identifying vehicles associated with criminal investigations
• Locating missing persons
• Investigating serious or violent crimes
• Identifying vehicles that may have traveled through or left our jurisdiction
• Coordinating investigations with other law enforcement agencies
ALPR technology will not be used for traffic enforcement. Likewise, ALPR detections alone will not be used to initiate or establish criminal charges. ALPR detections are investigative leads only and do not independently identify a driver, establish criminal activity, or replace traditional investigative methods.
Since implementation of the ALPR program, officers and investigators have used ALPR data to locate and recover stolen vehicles, identify suspect vehicles, develop investigative leads in felony investigations, locate missing persons, and assist in apprehending criminal offenders. The system has become a regularly used investigative resource and continues to provide information that would otherwise be unavailable or significantly more time-consuming to obtain through traditional investigative methods.
Interagency Data Sharing:
The Red Bluff Police Department (RBPD) currently shares license plate detections with 167 other California law enforcement agencies. Previous agency shares were 172, however, a recent review of the system determined that other agencies stopped sharing ALPR data with RBPD so those agencies were removed.
RBPD has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each agency with which it shares detections. Under those agreements, each participating agency is responsible for conducting audits of its own personnel and ensuring that access to the information is for legitimate law enforcement purposes. If data sharing is removed for other agencies, the Red Bluff Police Department would require outside agencies to submit a formal request for information, which RBPD would review and process in accordance with applicable law and department policy.
The Red Bluff Police Department does not share its ALPR data with federal agencies or out-of-state law enforcement agencies.
If Council elects to discontinue interagency data sharing, the department would retain access to data collected by City owned cameras; however, participating agencies would no longer have direct access to Red Bluff detections. Requests for information would instead be reviewed and processed by RBPD personnel in accordance with applicable law, policy, and operational considerations.
Potential Impacts of Program Termination:
If Council elects to terminate the City's ALPR program, the department would lose access to detections generated by City owned cameras and would no longer contribute information to participating law enforcement agencies. Investigative benefits currently derived from the system, including assistance with locating stolen vehicles, developing investigative leads, identifying suspect vehicles, and locating missing persons, would be significantly reduced and, in some cases, eliminated. The department would continue to utilize traditional investigative techniques and may retain limited access to ALPR information through partner agencies where available.
Accountability and Auditing:
When an authorized user conducts a search of the ALPR database, the query records information including the search type, username or requestor, case or incident number, date and time of the query, and the reason for the search.
The Red Bluff Police Department conducts periodic audits of the ALPR systems to which its personnel have access. Auditing responsibility rests with the Support/Special Services Division Commander.
The most recent audit conducted by the Division Commander occurred in August 2026. The audit reviewed queries conducted by Red Bluff Police Department personnel and determined that the searches were associated with legitimate law enforcement purposes and were consistent with department policy.
Recent discussions regarding ALPR accountability have also occurred at the statewide level. In 2026, the California Police Chiefs Association, California State Sheriffs' Association, and Peace Officers Research Association of California jointly released a proposed statewide ALPR policy framework advocating for enhanced training, auditing, transparency, privacy protections, vendor accountability, and oversight standards.
The proposal seeks to establish consistent statewide requirements governing the collection, access, sharing, and auditing of ALPR information while preserving ALPR technology as an investigative tool for legitimate public safety purposes. The department will continue to monitor legislative and regulatory developments relating to ALPR technology and update its policies and practices as necessary to remain compliant with applicable laws and best practices.
The audit process is intended to ensure that access to ALPR information is associated with a legitimate law enforcement purpose and that users are accountable for their searches.
The Department recognizes that ALPR technology involves the collection and storage of vehicle and license plate information and that appropriate safeguards are necessary to protect privacy and ensure the information is used appropriately.
Access to ALPR information is limited to authorized users and legitimate law enforcement purposes. Information maintained within criminal justice systems may also be subject to federal and state confidentiality requirements, CJIS security requirements, applicable California law, department policy, and restrictions contained within interagency agreements.
Information that may be restricted from public release includes, as applicable:
• Criminal justice information protected by federal or state law
• Information associated with active or ongoing criminal investigations
• Information whose release could compromise an investigation or investigative technique
• User credentials, authentication information, and system security information
• Information that could compromise the security or effectiveness of the ALPR system
• Information subject to confidentiality provisions contained within applicable agreements or law
The Department will continue to follow applicable legal requirements and department policies regarding the retention, access, auditing, use, and release of ALPR information.
Future Considerations:
Should the City Council elect to continue the ALPR program, the Red Bluff Police Department will periodically evaluate camera placement, equipment condition, and overall effectiveness as part of its public safety strategy.
The City Council may also consider whether continued participation in ALPR information sharing provides sufficient investigative benefits to justify maintaining such agreements. If automatic sharing is discontinued, outside agencies would continue to have the ability to request information through legally authorized processes.
Council may also consider the role of ALPR systems operated by other agencies within the City. The Tehama County Sheriff's Office currently operates Flock Safety cameras within the City limits, including cameras located in City right-of-way. If the City elects to discontinue allowing use of City right-of-way, the Sheriff's Office may be able to relocate those cameras to alternative locations and continue operating within the community. Consequently, removing cameras from City right-of-way may not necessarily eliminate Flock ALPR coverage within the City limits.
Alternatively, the City may elect to continue allowing cameras in City right-of-way while establishing a formal agreement addressing issues such as camera placement, maintenance responsibilities, liability, insurance requirements, auditing practices, data access, transparency, and privacy protections.
The City may also evaluate the relative costs and benefits of maintaining the City's Motorola Solutions-Vigilant ALPR system versus relying upon access to information available through partner agencies. Such considerations may include investigative effectiveness, operational costs, data accessibility, privacy concerns, administrative workload, and long-term public safety objectives.
While ALPR technology is not a substitute for traditional police work, it has become a force multiplier that allows investigators to more efficiently develop leads, identify vehicles associated with criminal activity, and coordinate investigations with partner agencies. The Department's experience has been that ALPR technology is most effective when combined with established investigative practices, department policies, auditing requirements, and appropriate privacy safeguards.
The Department's goal is to ensure that any ALPR technology utilized within the City is deployed responsibly, complies with applicable laws and policies, incorporates appropriate safeguards for privacy and accountability, and remains available as one of several investigative tools used to assist criminal investigations, recover stolen vehicles, locate missing persons, identify suspects, and enhance public safety.
CITY FISCAL IMPACT:
A supplemental appropriation in the amount of $21,455.55 to account number 11-33-720450-0118 is needed if option 2 is selected.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. ALPR Agenda Report 2016
2. Vigilant Solutions Sole Source Letter
3. ALPR Policy
4. Original ALPR Agreement 2017
5. Current ALPR Agreement Quote 2026
6. Mobile Trailers with LPR / 2023
7. Agenda Report October 20, 2026
8. Motorola - LPR Responsible Use Guide
9. Joint ALPR Framework 10.7.26
10. Joint Press Release ALPR Framework 10.7.26
11. Legal Analysis - U.S. v. Kyle & Carpenter v. U.S.