Advisory
Press Release: FLOCK Safety Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) Audit
The Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) is sharing an update with the community regarding our use and operation of Flock Safety’s (Flock) fixed-position Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR).
The purpose of these devices is to assist in criminal investigations, including addressing violent crimes, stolen vehicles, missing persons, and other serious offenses. SVPD views ALPR technology as a highly valuable and effective tool in addressing crime. SVPD deployed twenty-three (23) Flock Safety fixed-position ALPR cameras across the city.
Flock’s ALPR system captures images of license plates and vehicle characteristics but does not capture images of drivers or passengers. The ALPR data is then stored in an encrypted cloud environment for thirty (30) days before its deletion. Authorized personnel from agencies that use Flock ALPR technology can query the data to locate instances when and where a vehicle was detected by an ALPR camera. Agencies may authorize other entities to access their information, creating a shared network environment.
During the week of February 23, 2026, the Simi Valley Police Department was notified by county law enforcement partners of a potential data-access concern involving the Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system. Specifically, reports indicated that federal agencies may have had access to ALPR networks in the region.
In response, the Department immediately conducted an internal audit of its Flock Safety system covering the period from January 2024 through February 2026.
The audit determined that, although SVPD’s system settings were configured to limit data sharing to California-based agencies, a vendor-enabled “nationwide query” function allowed law enforcement agencies outside of California, including federal agencies, to query SVPD data without the Department’s knowledge or authorization.
SVPD does not provide camera access to any federal agency and has no active data-sharing agreements in place with federal entities. Based on available records, there is no indication that any such agreement existed during the audited time period.
The audit identified two queries conducted in May 2025 by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Department at the Loma Linda Medical Center (Loma Linda, CA) a federal law enforcement agency. These inquiries included SVPD data within their search parameters. Both inquiries were related to criminal investigations and were not associated with immigration enforcement activities.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Department at the Loma Linda Medical Center was inadvertently included in the California statewide search group. This oversight occurred because the agency, while federal, is located in California. Flock has confirmed that this agency no longer has access to the database and that the issue has been fully resolved. They have also assured us that no federal agencies can search the Simi Valley Police Department database.
Flock Safety has acknowledged responsibility for the configuration that allowed these queries and has since implemented system improvements to enhance agency control over data access and sharing. These enhancements include expanded audit logging for system setting changes and strengthened guardrails governing nationwide query permissions. Flock Safety has also confirmed that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security does not maintain a contract with the company.
Since deploying the Flock Safety ALPR system in 2024, the Simi Valley Police Department has realized substantial investigative and public safety benefits The technology has supported hundreds of criminal investigations leading to arrests, including violent crimes such as homicide, and has assisted in the recovery of stolen vehicles, the identification of wanted persons associated with the respective vehicles, and the development of investigative leads that would not otherwise have been available through traditional methods. The system remains an important investigative tool that enhances officer effectiveness and supports timely outcomes for victims in the Simi Valley community.
The Department remains committed to ensuring that all technology systems are used in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and community expectations regarding privacy and responsible data use.
The purpose of these devices is to assist in criminal investigations, including addressing violent crimes, stolen vehicles, missing persons, and other serious offenses. SVPD views ALPR technology as a highly valuable and effective tool in addressing crime. SVPD deployed twenty-three (23) Flock Safety fixed-position ALPR cameras across the city.
Flock’s ALPR system captures images of license plates and vehicle characteristics but does not capture images of drivers or passengers. The ALPR data is then stored in an encrypted cloud environment for thirty (30) days before its deletion. Authorized personnel from agencies that use Flock ALPR technology can query the data to locate instances when and where a vehicle was detected by an ALPR camera. Agencies may authorize other entities to access their information, creating a shared network environment.
During the week of February 23, 2026, the Simi Valley Police Department was notified by county law enforcement partners of a potential data-access concern involving the Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system. Specifically, reports indicated that federal agencies may have had access to ALPR networks in the region.
In response, the Department immediately conducted an internal audit of its Flock Safety system covering the period from January 2024 through February 2026.
The audit determined that, although SVPD’s system settings were configured to limit data sharing to California-based agencies, a vendor-enabled “nationwide query” function allowed law enforcement agencies outside of California, including federal agencies, to query SVPD data without the Department’s knowledge or authorization.
SVPD does not provide camera access to any federal agency and has no active data-sharing agreements in place with federal entities. Based on available records, there is no indication that any such agreement existed during the audited time period.
The audit identified two queries conducted in May 2025 by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Department at the Loma Linda Medical Center (Loma Linda, CA) a federal law enforcement agency. These inquiries included SVPD data within their search parameters. Both inquiries were related to criminal investigations and were not associated with immigration enforcement activities.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Department at the Loma Linda Medical Center was inadvertently included in the California statewide search group. This oversight occurred because the agency, while federal, is located in California. Flock has confirmed that this agency no longer has access to the database and that the issue has been fully resolved. They have also assured us that no federal agencies can search the Simi Valley Police Department database.
Flock Safety has acknowledged responsibility for the configuration that allowed these queries and has since implemented system improvements to enhance agency control over data access and sharing. These enhancements include expanded audit logging for system setting changes and strengthened guardrails governing nationwide query permissions. Flock Safety has also confirmed that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security does not maintain a contract with the company.
Since deploying the Flock Safety ALPR system in 2024, the Simi Valley Police Department has realized substantial investigative and public safety benefits The technology has supported hundreds of criminal investigations leading to arrests, including violent crimes such as homicide, and has assisted in the recovery of stolen vehicles, the identification of wanted persons associated with the respective vehicles, and the development of investigative leads that would not otherwise have been available through traditional methods. The system remains an important investigative tool that enhances officer effectiveness and supports timely outcomes for victims in the Simi Valley community.
The Department remains committed to ensuring that all technology systems are used in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and community expectations regarding privacy and responsible data use.
Address/Location
Simi Valley Police Department
3901 Alamo St
Simi Valley, CA 93063
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-583-6950