LAPD Takes Another Look at ALPRs, Hones Counter-Drone Response

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) uses extensive technology in its daily law enforcement mission, but it also faces significant technological challenges.

During the Los Angeles Police Commission meeting July 14, Chief Jim McDonnell shared some of the promise and peril at the intersection of policing and tech, calling specific attention to automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and drones.

The city’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the prolific ALPR company Flock Safety expired July 11, giving the department a chance to re-evaluate the valuable but controversial tool. Flock has been the focus of heated national debate around privacy and third-party surveillance.

“Automated license plate reader technology is a very valuable investigative tool, helping locate violent offenders, identify stolen vehicles and generate leads that assist in solving crimes and delivering justice for victims,” the chief said. “Protecting the constitutional rights and civil liberties of those we serve is a priority in evaluating the future use of the Flock Safety platform.”

City staff reported that draft standardized contract language was presented to the company two months before the expiration of the MOU, but as of the July 14 commission meeting, representatives from the company have only responded with a letter of intent and a few redline edits, signaling some alignment on the department’s top-line priorities.

The contractual moratorium will offer the opportunity to more carefully align the technology with department regulations and safeguards, the chief told commissioners in his comments. These areas of concern center on data ownership, protection and sharing, as well as breach liability.

Department staff noted that there are still policy gaps between the department and company related to breach notification, identification and city audit rights. These gaps were identified through a review of the technology by the Office of the Inspector General.

“This decision is not a rejection of technology; it reflects our commitment to using technology responsibly and with appropriate safeguards,” McDonnell said.

The LAPD has drawn a line in the sand for Flock and others in this space, which may open the door for another vendor to start a conversation.

Accepting the city's data protection terms is the first step for Flock or for any other vendor. A vendor that cannot accept those terms cannot be a part of the conversation.

“Our position is straightforward; the department continuously seeks out innovative technology, and we will continue to evaluate all ALPR technologies and vendors to determine what best serves Los Angeles,” LAPD IT Bureau Assistant Commander Randy Goddard said.

McDonnell also said in his comments that drone technology, or unmanned aerial systems (UAS), is a concern for the department’s air support units. Recently, one of the aircraft was struck by a drone and was forced to land for evaluation.

“The way it is currently, we can only anticipate that it's going to become a greater challenge for us moving forward,” he said. ”And I'd say the current threat picture is fairly significant with the number of drones that are already out there now.”

With large events like the FIFA World Cup and Olympics in city limits, the need to counter potential terror attacks via drone is also top of mind for local, state and federal law enforcement.

Department staff noted during a presentation on countering UAS technology that the department had secured grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and installed advanced detection and mitigation equipment ahead of the myriad World Cup events.

The equipment was used as part of a Joint Terrorism Task Force operation under the supervision of the FBI and in partnership with other agencies, like the Federal Air Marshals.

That operation netted 16 detentions and citations, 15 drone seizures and one cyber takeover operation with the help of the drone as a first responder team to identify offending pilots on the ground.

For vendors working in this space, the upcoming Olympic Games in 2028 could see new opportunities in this space. Watching the state and federal grant awards will be a useful indicator of the level of need.