Tempe is putting new limits on its automated license plate reader program as cities across the Valley take a closer look at how police surveillance data is collected and shared.
The city stopped all data sharing from its Flock cameras Monday and launched a public transparency portal showing how the system is being used. Tempe police had previously limited sharing to Arizona law enforcement agencies, but Chief Ken McCoy said ending sharing altogether gives the city more control over its data.
The department says monthly audits have not uncovered misuse, including the latest review conducted Friday. Officers are required to enter report numbers when searching the system. Public records show recent searches were tied to investigations including stolen vehicles, hit-and-runs, homicides, missing people and a possible kidnapping.
Tempe also plans to seek new bids from license plate reader companies, with contracts that would include penalties if vendors misuse the data. The move comes as other Arizona communities, including Chandler, Pinal County and Apache Junction, have taken steps to reduce or end their use of Flock technology. The broader debate is shifting from whether these cameras help solve crimes to how much surveillance access communities are willing to give police.
