Tempe councilmember proposes ALPR ban after Flock contract ends

11 September 2026. [AI first draft. Verify every fact against the source before publishing.]

Tempe councilmember Bobby Nichols proposed an ordinance in September 2026 that would prohibit law enforcement from using automated license plate readers, citing resident concerns about surveillance and privacy. The proposal came after Tempe ended its Flock Safety contract last month following misuse by other Valley agencies that had access to Tempe's camera data. Flock Safety has not responded to requests to remove the cameras, which remain covered by bags throughout the city.

The ordinance includes limited exceptions for non-law-enforcement purposes such as parking facilities, multi-agency investigations using other cities' data, and court-ordered searches. Private use by businesses, homeowners associations, and Arizona State University would continue. The proposal would require destruction of existing ALPR data except when retained as criminal evidence or by legal requirement, and would establish penalties including possible termination for city employees who violate the ban. Standard license plate readers would not be affected.

Public response has been substantial, with an online survey receiving more than 200 responses within 24 hours of the first public meeting, showing broad majority support for the ban [verify: survey methodology and final response numbers]. The city accepted feedback through September 15. Opponents argue that ALPRs have helped police solve crimes nationwide and note that individuals should not expect privacy in public spaces. Separately, the city council is scheduled to vote on a 5-year, $6.9 million Axon services consolidation contract that would upgrade TASERs and add vehicle cameras but is not currently slated to include ALPR capabilities, though the contract was previously pulled from the agenda after ALPR language was inadvertently included.

Residents can track whether their own city councils have received similar ALPR ban proposals or have scheduled votes on surveillance technology contracts by checking council meeting agendas and records of public comment periods.

Read the original reporting: ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV).