CVPD ALPR PROGRAM

CVPD has operated an ALPR program since 2007 when the first ALPR system was purchased with City Council approval. The current program consists of four mobile ALPR cameras mounted to four marked patrol cars which are used by uniformed officers in patrol throughout the city (managed by Vigilant LEARN/Motorola), in addition to 150 stationary cameras located in various locations throughout the city (managed by Flock Safety).

Vigilant LEARN ALPR System:
The Vigilant LEARN ALPR system consists of four cameras mounted to the roof of a patrol car. They are mounted to face forward and laterally. The cameras have software that is designed to recognize license plate numbers. When a license plate number is recognized, the system takes a picture of the license plate. The cameras do not record video, and they do not focus more than 12-15 feet from the patrol car. Because the cameras do not zoom in on the license plates, it is possible that portions of vehicles and some surroundings might also be visible in the ALPR images.

On average, 450,000 images are collected by the four CVPD patrol vehicles annually.* Information is purged 30 days from the date of capture.

***It's important to note that the total number of images captured by both Vigilant LEARN and Flock Safety systems will increase when the installation of the 150 stationary cameras is complete (estimated completion date is summer 2024).

Flock Safety:
In October 2023, City Council unanimously approved 150 of the stationary cameras. These cameras are installed onto streetlights, traffic signal poles, and standalone poles erected by Flock Safety. For more information about the current number of operational cameras and to learn more about our Flock Safety system, visit our Transparency Portal.

WHAT IS ALPR DATA?

ALPR data consists of images of license plates from the ALPR cameras and the date time and location of the image. CVPD images remain in the CVPD ALPR database for 30 days and are automatically deleted 30 days from the photo date. It should be noted that ALPR data does not contain any other information. It does not collect personal information, such as the registered owner of any vehicle, nor any information about who was inside any vehicle, nor does the ALPR database provide a link to any other confidential law enforcement database. It is a stand-alone system. CA State law prohibits sharing law enforcement ALPR data from anyone other than law enforcement personnel.

WHO CAN ACCESS ALPR DATA?

ALPR data is considered confidential by state law and is restricted to use by law enforcement for official purposes. CVPD staff who have been trained on the ALPR systems and agreed to CVPD's mandated policy may access ALPR data for official law enforcement purposes. Each user has a unique and secure log in credential and any search of the data must include the reason for searching (case number, call for service number, crime description etc.).

Like other confidential law enforcement databases, there is department policy and state law that governs use and access and consequences for improper use.

ALPR data may be searched in the following manner:

1. Search of a specific license plate or partial license plate number
2. Specific area and time frame for either a license plate or partial license plate, or the make model or color of a vehicle, or a combination of each.

Please note: Only matching results are displayed for any search.

CVPD ALPR data is stored in a CVPD-specific database maintained by the ALPR vendors (Vigilant LEARN/Motorola and Flock Safety) and managed by CVPD personnel. CVPD’s ALPR data is not visible or available to the vendor. Data sharing refers to the ability of an agency that is conducting a specific search of ALPR data to see another agency’s matching ALPR data. CVPD allows other CA law enforcement agencies to view CVPD ALPR matching results. CVPD does not share ALPR data with any agencies outside of CA, any federal agencies, or fusion centers. Additionally, CVPD ALPR data is not shared in bulk, nor is it sold or provided to any other entity except as described above. Click here to view the current list of all the law enforcement agencies that we share ALPR data with, and who we receive data from. 

The two primary functions of this technology are:

• To automatically compare license plate numbers that have been entered into separate, existing law enforcement databases with the license plates photographed by CVPD's ALPR system in the patrol car. When a match is found, the system sends an alert to the officer driving the ALPR car. That officer must then verify that the alert is still valid and locate the vehicle in question before determining what action to take.
• To provide a database for officers investigating crimes. This a very useful too that investigators use to identify vehicles associated with crimes, stolen vehicles, vehicles associated with wanted persons, vehicles associated with missing persons.

The ALPR system is NOT used for:

• Not associated with any of our UAS (drones)
• Not capable of real-time (or near real-time) tracking of a person or vehicle
• Not used for immigration purposes
  • We do not share data with ICE nor CBP
  • We do not collect any immigration-related information – the data relates to license plates only
• Not shared with non-law enforcement agencies
• Not able to provide any personal identification information (i.e., DMV records) in association with the vehicle

Click here to view the presentations that CVPD has introduced at past City Council meetings. These events have served as an opportunity for residents to provide input regarding how the program is implemented.

Click here to learn about Vigilant LEARN, CVPD’s ALPR solution for mobile ALPR cameras. Click here to learn about Flock Safety, CVPD’s ALPR solution for stationary ALPR cameras.