TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Councilmember Candelas
CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Campos Councilmember Cohen
Councilmember Mulcahy
Councilmember Casey
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: March 06, 2026
Approved Date: 03/06/2026
SUBJECT: Automated License Plate Readers Data Usage Protocol Update
RECOMMENDATION
Accept staff recommendation with these additions:
1. Prohibit Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras from being placed in a way that captures license plate data from vehicles entering or exiting the premises of Consulate General offices or embassies.
2. Direct the City Manager's Office to continue conducting audits performed by the Information Technology Department, with findings reported during the Focus Area reports presented to the Public Safety, Finance and Strategic Support Committee.
3. Direct the City Manager to explore alternative Automated License Plate Reader technology vendors and report back to the Council.
4. If there is any unauthorized disclosure or data leaks of ALPR data, SJPD must report that unauthorized disclosure to the City Council via an information memo.
5. Prohibit all ALPR systems from integrating facial recognition software and biometric analysis software.
6. Determine whether the current terms of the contract allow data collected by any party to be used for the purpose of training and developing Generative Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) models. If data collected from ALPRs can be used for this purpose, return to the Council with options to prohibit the data collected from being used for this purpose.
BACKGROUND
Since 2010, the San Jose Police Department has faced a critical shortage of patrol officers. While staffing numbers have been steadily growing over the past few years, Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology has become an important tool for our police department. A wide range of incidents, such as violent crimes, missing persons, and stolen vehicles, have been solved COUNCIL AGENDA: 3/10/2026
FILE: 26-215
ITEM: 4.1
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
03/06/2026
Subject: Automated License Plate Readers Data Usage Protocol Update
using the 474 ALPR cameras deployed throughout San Jose. However, it is imperative that we handle our technological tools responsibly to maintain public safety and protect civil liberties. Our recommendations enhance and codify safeguards, particularly around sensitive sites, without compromising the effectiveness of the ALPR system. Information Technology Department currently does an annual audit and so we are asking to report to Public Safety, Finance and Strategic Support Committee. Additional reporting will promote transparency to the City Council and provide an accountability mechanism if there are unauthorized disclosures or data leaks.
The Mexican Consulate General office in San Jose offers vital services, such as expedited passport renewals and dual citizenship registration, to Mexican citizens and nationals residing in Santa Clara County. While there are currently no cameras on roads leading to the Consulate General office, codifying the absence of ALPR technology will ensure long-term data protection.
Given the uncertainty of our nation’s political climate, members of the public should feel safe when seeking social and legal services at a diplomatic office.
The signers of this memorandum have not had, and will not have, any private conversation with any other member of the City Council, or that member’s staff, concerning any action discussed in the memorandum, and that each signer’s staff members have not had, and have been instructed not to have, any such conversation with any other member of the City Council or that member's staff.