Council unanimously backs stronger license plate reader safeguards

The Scottsdale City Council voted 7-0 Oct. 6 to direct staff to draft an ordinance governing the city’s use of automated license plate readers, including proposed criminal penalties for misuse. The ordinance will return for council consideration Dec. 1.

Councilwoman Solange Whitehead made the motion, which Vice Mayor Maryann McAllen seconded. Amendments offered by Councilman Adam Kwasman and Mayor Lisa Borowsky were accepted during the discussion.

The council’s action directs development of an ordinance and additional safeguards. The proposed ordinance will require a separate council vote before taking effect.

“I’m grateful to the city council for its unanimous support and leadership,” said Police Chief Joe LeDuc. “Their action reflects a strong commitment to both protecting individual privacy and ensuring our police department has the tools necessary to keep Scottsdale one of the safest cities in the nation. Those priorities are not mutually exclusive, and the council made clear that we can strengthen safeguards while continuing to protect our community.”

The motion outlined independent audits, annual user training, a review of data retention and access, and a public webpage explaining the city’s law enforcement technologies. It also called for evaluating alternative vendors and reviewing the city’s Flock Safety contract, including termination requirements, potential costs and how city data would be returned, transferred or destroyed.

“Our next step is to turn council’s direction into clear, enforceable requirements,” said City Manager Greg Caton. “We’ll bring back a proposed ordinance and information about vendor options, data protections and oversight so council and residents can evaluate how we move forward.”

The approach seeks to preserve the technology’s public safety capabilities while strengthening control over data ownership, privacy and sharing. Whitehead’s motion also outlined a potential transition from Flock and excluding funding for its contract from the proposed fiscal year 2027-28 budget.

During discussion of federal access, Kwasman proposed adding an exception for emergency circumstances, including terrorism investigations, alongside access required by a valid subpoena or warrant.

City Attorney Luis Santaella explained that changing how long the city retains license plate reader records would require state approval.

The Police Department presented information about how the cameras work, safeguards governing their use and investigations in which they helped officers locate suspects.

The cameras record license plates, the time and location of a vehicle’s passage and limited vehicle characteristics. According to the department, they do not use facial recognition or identify drivers or passengers. Searches require a documented law enforcement or public safety purpose, and user activity is logged for review.

Staff will return with the proposed ordinance Dec. 1 for further council consideration.