Half Moon Bay to review license plate readers use

The technology can be used for authorized law enforcement to respond to emergencies, apprehend people suspected of crimes and identify stolen vehicles and missing people, for example. Residents have historically expressed privacy concerns with the cameras, which were installed as many cities across the county began to use similar technology. 

The decision to review the city’s contract with Flock Safety, which has operated 16 automated license plate readers at seven locations across Half Moon Bay since fall 2025, comes as other Bay Area cities are terminating relationships with the company. 

Mountain View announced its decision to turn its ALPRs off after findings that hundreds of law enforcement agencies, including several federal entities, had accessed its license plate data without authorization, the Mountain View Voice reported. Santa Cruz made a similar decision earlier in the year amidst data privacy concerns and increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement from the Trump administration, according to KQED.

Though California law prohibits license plate data from being shared with agencies out of the state, counties are becoming more wary of surveillance technology companies given these data issues — a concern Half Moon Bay shares, City Manager Matthew Chidester said.

“We have heard the concerns loud and clear. We express the same concerns. … We’re taking proactive steps right now to ensure the communities’ information is protected,” he said. “Ultimately, if it’s not the right fit for our community, it’s something we can change.” 

The city has taken steps to ensure its contract with Flock Safety is being followed and mitigate any potential risks, including an upcoming meeting with the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, Chidester said. 

The City Council will discuss the topic at an upcoming meeting in February or early March so residents can weigh in on the city’s two-year Flock contract, Ruddock said. 

“We sign an agreement with Flock, we expect it to be followed to the T, because of the sensitivity of the information. Any breach is cause for concern, but there’s heightened concerns today, because of everything that’s going on with our country,” she said. “We want to be clearheaded about it, but we don’t want to put the community at risk either.”