ALPR Cameras

Although currently paused, our Police Department has the ability to use ALPR (Automated License Plate Readers) technology to capture objective evidence without compromising on individual privacy. Retroactive searches allow officers to solve crimes after they've occurred; additionally, real time alerting of "hotlist" vehicles allow officers to capture wanted criminals.

In Renton, Flock cameras are only allowed on state highways, and data from the system can only be accessed for serious crimes such as violent crimes, felonies, or gross misdemeanors.

What Flock ALPR Technology Does

Flock ALPR cameras are a public safety tool that has shown to be an important asset in solving several investigations in Renton. They capture a snapshot (not a video) of license plate information and vehicle characteristics as cars pass by the fixed camera locations. The system helps officers:

• Identify vehicles connected to felony or gross misdemeanor investigations
• Locate missing persons or endangered individuals when a vehicle is involved
• Respond more quickly to in-progress crimes
• Provide investigative leads in cases where no suspect information is available
• Corroborate timelines or vehicle movements in major incidents

What Flock ALPR Technology Cannot Do

The system cannot:

• Track people — it only captures vehicles and license plates
• Be used for minor offenses — Renton PD may only access data for felonies and gross misdemeanors
• Be used for immigration enforcement — SB 6002 prohibits sharing ALPR data with federal immigration agencies
• Be used by out-of-state agencies — information stored in our records is not available to out-of-state or federal agencies
• Provide real-time surveillance of individuals — it is not a live video system
• Be used arbitrarily — all users must be trained and authorized under the updated policy

There is also a common question about stolen vehicles. While the system can generate alerts for stolen plates, officers must meet the legal threshold for accessing historical data under the new law.

What the Renton Police Department Updated

To comply with SB 6002 and strengthen community trust, the department implemented several key changes:

• Revised ALPR policy to reflect all new state requirements
• Enhanced data governance to ensure proper retention and access controls
• Improved audit procedures for both internal and public-facing systems
• Restricted access to only trained and authorized personnel. All authorized users have been retrained to align with the updated policy
• Mandatory documentation for every search
• Reinforced accountability measures to ensure compliance and transparency

Why This Matters for Public Safety

ALPR technology has proven to be valuable in solving and preventing serious crimes. The recent shooting at Coulon Park is one example where the temporary pause might have provided more investigative information, such as identifying vehicles entering or leaving the area around the time of the incident.

While technology alone cannot solve cases, it often provides critical leads that help investigators piece together events more quickly and accurately.