Walnut Creek set to acquire $161,000 worth of advanced surveillance cameras.
Walnut Creek City Council Approves Two-Year Subscription for Flock Safety ALPR System
The City Council of Walnut Creek, California, has unanimously voted to authorize a two-year subscription with Flock Safety for its Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system. The decision, made on June 17, 2025, marks a significant step towards enhancing public safety in the city.
The Flock ALPR system, known for its ability to read legacy plates, temporary paper tags, and motorcycle plates, will provide improved coverage compared to the current system. The plan involves the installation of over 20 fixed Flock cameras at strategic locations around the city and ALPR units mounted on two existing radar message board trailers.
The total cost for the 24-month subscription, installation, leasing, and other expenses is not to exceed $161,600. This figure includes the estimated annual cost for renewal of the Flock Safety ALPR system, which is approximately $100,000, should the program continue beyond two years.
The City had previously set aside $200,000 in the General Fund for ALPR upgrades. The approval was given on June 17, 2025, through a consent-calendar vote.
The Flock cameras will be installed at strategic locations across the city, with the aim for comprehensive citywide coverage across business and residential corridors. However, the City has not published a list of exact sites for the camera installation.
The system checks scans against the NCIC "hot list" and local alerts, and every user search requires a written justification that is logged for audits. It's worth noting that ALPR data is automatically purged after 30 days.
Contra Costa County agencies and neighboring cities already use the same system, citing a broader network effect as a reason for the switch. Across the Bay Area and California, agencies have adopted license plate readers to coordinate regionally.
The installation and activation of the Flock Safety ALPR system can now proceed under the approved agreement. The City staff is now authorized to proceed with the rollout of the system.
This move by the City Council is part of an ongoing effort to enhance public safety and improve traffic management in Walnut Creek. The new ALPR system is expected to provide valuable data for law enforcement and traffic management, ultimately contributing to a safer and more efficient city.
