Berkeley Police ALPRs Aid Commercial Burglary Arrest Amidst Thousands of Monthly 'Hotlist' Detections

The Berkeley Police Department recently utilized its Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) system to locate a vehicle connected to a commercial burglary, resulting in the arrest of an individual with an outstanding warrant. This incident, shared by Flock Safety on social media, highlights the expanding role of ALPR technology in local law enforcement operations. The successful apprehension underscores the system's capability to quickly identify and track vehicles of interest in ongoing criminal investigations.

The City of Berkeley initiated the deployment of ALPRs after approving a two-year, $425,000 contract with Flock Safety in October 2023 for 52 devices. Installation commenced in December 2024, with 32 cameras becoming operational as part of the initial rollout. Police officials have consistently stated that the readers are a crucial tool to combat rising crime rates, particularly auto theft and property crimes, by providing real-time alerts for vehicles linked to criminal activities.

The ALPR system functions by capturing still images of passing vehicles and cross-referencing license plates against local, statewide, and national databases of stolen vehicles or those associated with wanted individuals. While the technology offers rapid identification, the Berkeley Police Department's policy mandates human verification of any "hit" or alert before officers take enforcement action. This process aims to ensure accuracy and prevent false positives, streamlining investigations and enhancing officer efficiency.

Despite the stated benefits, the implementation of ALPRs has drawn significant privacy concerns from civil liberties advocates, including the ACLU of Northern California. Critics worry about potential surveillance overreach and risks of racial or economic discrimination. In response, the Berkeley Police Department has established strict usage policies, including a 30-day data retention limit for non-evidentiary scans and an explicit prohibition on sharing ALPR data with federal immigration enforcement agencies.

Since becoming operational, the ALPR network has demonstrated substantial activity and contributed to numerous law enforcement actions. As of February 2025, the system detected over 544,000 vehicles in a 30-day period, generating 2,369 "hotlist" hits and facilitating 376 officer-initiated searches. Earlier reports from November 2024 indicated the system's involvement in closing a half-dozen cases and eight arrests within its first month, including stolen vehicle recoveries and the identification of a suspected shooter. The city has also launched a public portal to provide transparency regarding ALPR usage statistics.