DEFLOCK BAY AREA
DeFlock Alameda County
Use The First Amendment to protect The Fourth Amendment.
This site documents Alameda County's automated license plate reader program using County records, California law and other identified sources. We distinguish verified facts from questions that remain unanswered and link to the underlying evidence so you can examine it yourself.
Alameda County's ALPR program
The Alameda County Sheriff's Office uses automated license plate readers as an investigative tool. County records show an ongoing contractual relationship with Flock Safety and document both reported investigative outcomes and public debate over the program.
The issue is not whether an ALPR can ever produce a useful investigative lead. The issue is whether those successes justify creating searchable records of the movements of people who are not suspected of a crime.
The photograph isn't the issue. The searchable history is.
ALPRs can become institutional crack: a few early successes create the rush, ubiquitous access creates the dependency, and soon law enforcement can't imagine policing without tracking everyone. That's when intervention is needed.
Alameda County at a Glance
These figures come from identified Alameda County records. Where the available record does not establish a current figure, we do not guess.
| Measure | Current / latest verified record | Why it matters | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flock contract | A 2026 Sheriff's Office Board submission proposed increasing the agreement from $550,600 to $854,200 — an increase of $303,600 — and extending the stated contract period through 30 June 2026. | The documented contract ceiling provides a starting point for examining the public cost of the County's Flock program. | Sheriff's Office Board submission |
| Board vote | On 21 April 2026, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved the Sheriff's second Flock contract amendment by a 3–2 vote. The official minutes record 55 speakers on the item. | The vote identifies the elected officials directly accountable for that County policy and spending decision. | Board of Supervisors minutes |
| 2025 ALPR alerts | For 1 January through 1 December 2025, ACSO reported 623 ALPR alerts. It reported 60 resulting in an arrest, 53 in recovery of stolen vehicles, 22 in recovery of felony vehicles and 146 in deputies pulling a report number. | Those outcomes matter. So does the denominator: the number of vehicle observations collected to produce those alerts and outcomes. | Sheriff's Office Board submission |
| National Lookup | The Sheriff's Office reported that ACSO asked Flock Safety to deactivate the National Lookup Tool for ACSO data and that the change was completed in March 2025. | The change illustrates why configuration, access controls, auditing and continuing public oversight matter in addition to written policy. | Sheriff's Office Board submission |
One ALPR camera is one ALPR camera too many.
Watch & support @LoyalMoses
@LoyalMoses is fighting the good fight well beyond DeFlock. His own description of his work is that he explores the intersection of technology and independence through cinematic storytelling. His recent work has repeatedly focused on Flock, mass surveillance, public access to camera data, and other technology-policy issues that affect privacy, civil liberties and individual independence.
DeFlock Alameda County appreciates the time, research and energy he puts into helping people understand these issues. If you care about civil liberties—not just ALPR cameras—his work is worth following.
Watch the featured video on YouTube →
Do we really want to become China 2.0?
Read the records. Ask the questions.
Alameda County ALPR
What the Sheriff's program does, what California law says and what County records establish.
Evidence
Contract records, reported outcomes, the Board vote and other source-backed facts.
Common Arguments
Ten familiar arguments for ALPR surveillance — and the questions the public should ask.
Take Action
Contact Alameda County decision-makers and ask direct, informed questions about the program.
Victories
Communities elsewhere are rejecting, suspending, restricting and ending ALPR surveillance programs.
Resources
Primary records, California law, independent research and links for doing your own investigation.
Let’s get rid of these Orwellian nightmares before they grow roots.
DeFlock communities in Alameda County
ALPR decisions are often made city by city. Programs can differ in their contracts, camera counts, retention rules, data sharing, policies and oversight. DeFlock Alameda County therefore tracks communities individually while providing a county-wide resource.
Established DeFlock community sites
Still working on these cities … hang tight!
We're building local DeFlock resources for the rest of Alameda County's incorporated cities. Population figures below are California Department of Finance January 1, 2026 estimates. ALPR counts will be added as we verify local records.
Population source: California Department of Finance — E-1 Population Estimates, January 1, 2026 →
The public deserves the denominator.
How many vehicle observations involving people suspected of no crime are collected to produce the investigative successes used to justify the system?The question isn't whether an ALPR can help solve a crime.
The question is whether solving some crimes requires creating searchable records of everybody else.
Join DeFlock Bay Area on Facebook
Connect with people across the Bay Area, share information, organize and stay informed about ALPR surveillance in our communities.