The Sonoma City Council has unanimously approved a three-year, $150,000 contract extension to keep its network of automated license plate readers in operation.
According to the Sonoma Index-Tribune, Police Chief Brandon Cutting pitched the Flock Safety technology as an essential investigative tool, citing a 100% solution rate in recent vehicle-involved crimes.
To address privacy concerns, the city maintains strict data governance, including a 30-day deletion policy and a ban on sharing data with federal immigration agencies. While Sonoma currently operates 16 cameras, officials are already discussing expanding the network to monitor all major routes in and out of town.
Councilmembers praised the move as a cost-effective alternative to hiring more officers, arguing the public safety benefits far outweigh the surveillance risks.
