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DATE: February 17, 2026
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, City Manager
FROM: Cory Call, Police Chief
DEPARTMENT: Police
SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF EIGHT (8) ADDITIONAL LICENSE PLATE READERS FROM FLOCK SAFETY IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,000
ANNUALLY
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Flock Safety, LLC for the procurement of eight additional License Plate Readers for $24,000 annually, to be used in a manner consistent with the City’s established ALPR Program and other applicable law
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Foster City Police Department (FCPD) currently operates 20 ALPR cameras through Flock Safety, LLC as part of its crime prevention and investigative strategy.
Since the system became operational in November 2022, LPR technology has proven to be a highly effective tool in identifying suspects, solving crimes, recovering stolen vehicles, and supporting successful prosecutions in cases that would otherwise have remained unsolved.
From November 2022 to the present, ALPR data contributed to 160 criminal cases , resulting in over 49 arrests and nearly 70 suspects identified. The system has played a critical role in solving burglary, theft, hit-and-run, vehicle theft, narcotics, and assault cases, demonstrating measurable and ongoing benefits to public safety.
Foster City’s geographic layout, with limited points of ingress and egress and direct access to major regional freeways, makes the City particularly vulnerable to transient,
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vehicle-based crime. ALPR cameras allow the Department to monitor vehicles entering and leaving the City, identify suspect vehicles associated with crimes, and coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions that also utilize ALPR technology. Expanding ALPR coverage reduces the likelihood that Foster City becomes a preferred target for criminal activity due to gaps in detection capability.
The proposed purchase of eight additional Flock Safety ALPR cameras will enhance coverage at strategic locations, improve investigative efficiency, and further strengthen the Department’s ability to detect, deter, and prevent crime while maximizing existing personnel resources. The ALPR program operates under strict legal, policy, and privacy protections, including limited data retention, controlled access, and full auditability, ensuring responsible use of the technology.
Approval of this request will build upon a proven public safety program, enhance regional crime-fighting collaboration, and support the Department’s ongoing commitment to providing a high level of service and safety to the Foster City community.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
Advancements in ALPR technology have made these systems a standard and effective law enforcement tool throughout San Mateo County and the region. The FCPD currently contracts for 20 ALPR cameras through Flock Safety, which have proven to be highly effective in identifying suspects, solving crimes, recovering vehicles, and supporting successful prosecutions in cases that would otherwise have remained unsolved.
ALPR systems support modern crime prevention and investigative strategies by capturing vehicle information in public spaces and alerting officers to vehicles associated with stolen vehicles, wanted persons, and other vehicles of interest. Due to Foster City’s limited routes of ingress and egress, ALPR cameras were strategically placed to monitor vehicles entering and exiting the City, significantly enhancing investigative capability. The ALPR system also allows for the temporary deployment of a portable camera (currently mounted on the Department’s radar trailer) in identified crime hot spots or during high-profile events.
Since Flock Safety went live in November 2022, ALPRs have demonstrated measurable success. From November 2022 to present, ALPR data contributed to 160 cases, resulting in 49 arrests, 60 arrest warrants issued, and 39 cases forwarded to the District Attorney for prosecution. ALPRs have played a key role in high profile incidents solving 38 burglary-related cases, 17 hit-and-run investigations, 14 theft cases, 10 vehicle theft cases, as well as assisting in narcotics and assault investigations. These outcomes reflect both the effectiveness of the technology and its value as a force multiplier for patrol and investigative personnel.
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The FCPD operates the ALPR program under strict legal, policy, and privacy safeguards. ALPR data does not identify individuals or access personal information.
License plate data is anonymous unless queried through separate, secure, and audited state databases for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Access to ALPR data is restricted to trained personnel, requires a documented law enforcement purpose, and is fully audited annually to ensure compliance. Consistent with FCPD Policy #472 and California Civil Code Section 1798.90.55, ALPR data is retained for no more than 30 days, after which it is permanently purged. Data is not warehoused, sold, or commingled with private entities and is only shared with other law enforcement agencies for active investigations or legitimate public safety needs.
The FCPD maintains strict administrative, procedural, and technological safeguards to ensure ALPR data is accessed and used solely for legitimate law enforcement purposes, in accordance with departmental policy. FCPD has never authorized access to its ALPR system by out-of-state or federal agencies. Any agency requesting access must execute an Agency Data Sharing Acknowledgement Letter affirming that shared ALPR data will be used exclusively for law enforcement purposes and not for prohibited activities, including immigration enforcement, personal use, harassment, or any use inconsistent with FCPD Policy #472. Complementing these controls, Flock Safety has implemented California-specific technological restrictions, including disabling National Lookup and limiting Statewide Lookup functionality to prevent data sharing across state lines or with federal agencies, and deploying automated keyword filters to block searches associated with civil immigration enforcement where prohibited by law.
Additional information can be found on the ALPR FAQ page https://www.fostercity.org/police/page/automated-license-plate-reader-faqs To further prevent and detect misuse, FCPD conducts biannual audits of ALPR activity by both department personnel and approved partner agencies. Internal audits review employee search activity and documented search justifications, with findings summarized and reported to the Chief of Police and retained on file. External agency audits similarly examine search reasons using keyword analysis, with direct follow-up conducted when concerns are identified. These oversight measures are supported by Flock Safety’s system-wide auditing and transparency features, which log every search for accountability and compliance review, and by the company’s enforcement of customer-controlled data sharing, including the removal of federal agencies from its lookup systems and the termination of pilot programs with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Collectively, these layered safeguards ensure responsible ALPR use and ongoing compliance with applicable laws and policies.
Flock Safety provides a fully managed, infrastructure-free ALPR solution, including installation, maintenance, software, and equipment replacement at a cost of $3,000 per camera per year. Cameras are solar-powered and wireless, minimizing City infrastructure needs and ongoing staff workload. Expanding the existing ALPR system by eight additional cameras would build upon the demonstrated success of the current program, improve coverage at key roadways, close gaps, and further enhance the Department’s ability to detect, deter, and solve crime while maintaining strong privacy 4920-1684-0847 v3
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protections for the community. To achieve this goal, the following locations were identified and will be equipped with Flock ALPR cameras:
1. Chess Drive, north of the westbound SR92 on ramp
2. East Hillsdale Boulevard, west of Rainbow Bridge
3. Foster City Boulevard, north of Polynesia Drive
4. Foster City Boulevard, north of Beach Park Boulevard
5. Shell Boulevard, between Foster Square Lane and Balclutha Drive
6. Shell Boulevard, north of Beach Park Boulevard
7. Edgewater Boulevard, north of Beach Park Boulevard (Facing northbound)
8. Edgewater Boulevard, north of Beach Park Boulevard (Facing southbound) California Environmental Quality Act
Purchase and installation of the additional Flock ALPR Cameras are not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21000, et seq. and the CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs.§§ 15000 et. seq.), including without limitation, Public Resources Code section 21065 and California Code of Regulations 15378 as this is not a "project" that may cause a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment.
The proposed action involves the purchase and installation of license plate reader cameras mounted on existing City-owned poles and does not include the construction of new facilities or expansion of existing uses.
FISCAL IMPACT
Each Flock ALPR camera costs $3,000 per year, which includes maintenance, software, and data storage. Leasing the additional eight (8) cameras will cost a total of $24,000 per year. Install fees were waived. The eight (8) additional cameras will coterm with our existing contract with Flock Safety. This coterm will result in a combined total annual expenditure of $74,000 for all contracted ALPR camera services (28 cameras total).
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
Public Safety and Social Equity
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Attachment 2 - Flock Quote and Terms and Conditions
Attachment 3 - Proposed ALPR Locations