Redwood City opens license plate reader bids as September contract expires

1 August 2026. [AI first draft. Verify every fact against the source before publishing.]

Redwood City has begun accepting applications for a new automated license plate reader provider as its current contract approaches expiration in September 2026. The city issued a request for proposals on August 1, 2026, with a deadline of August 7 for responses. The city plans to award a contract by September 14. The procurement covers equipment and support services for 25 plate readers already installed in Redwood City, with an initial three-year term and optional two-year extension.

Redwood City's process follows national controversy over unauthorized data-sharing involving Flock Safety, the current ALPR provider. In March 2026, Flock acknowledged that some plate reader networks across California were inadvertently accessible to out-of-state agencies in violation of state law. Police Chief Kristina Bell reported in June that Redwood City found no evidence of unauthorized access to its system and implemented data-sharing restrictions to Bay Area agencies only in February 2026. The city approved the original ALPR program in September 2023. Other Bay Area jurisdictions including Mountain View, Santa Cruz and Los Altos Hills terminated Flock contracts over similar concerns, while Palo Alto continued use with additional safeguards.

At a August council meeting, approximately 20 public commenters urged the city to end its ALPR program entirely rather than simply seek a new vendor. Privacy advocates and immigrant rights representatives cited surveillance risks to vulnerable populations. In response, the Police Department stated it is seeking proposals that demonstrate strong privacy safeguards beyond standard industry approaches and that proposals will be evaluated on both public safety functionality and the strength and enforceability of proposed protections.

Residents can monitor the Police Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for August 12 for additional information about the ALPR program, and can request copies of submitted proposals and the city's evaluation process after contract award. Readers in other communities should check their own city council agendas and records requests procedures for similar contract renewals and procurement timelines.

Read the original reporting: Redwood City Pulse.