CHICO, CA - On Wednesday, August 5, Chico Police Department (CPD) Chief Billy Aldridge announced that the department is temporarily limiting access to its license plate reader (LPR) system in California to law enforcement agencies while it reviews its policies and information-sharing practices.
The announcement comes after recent public scrutiny over the department's sharing of automated license plate reader (ALPR) data with federal and out-of-state law enforcement agencies, including concerns that agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol had access to the system, Action News Now reported.
Aldridge said the department is evaluating its policies in light of evolving legal interpretations surrounding LPR information sharing and the need to maintain public confidence.
"During this evaluation process, use of the Chico Police Department LPR system will be limited to only California law enforcement agencies," Aldridge said. "Access will remain restricted until further guidance is given by legal counsel and leadership of the city."
He said CPD does not enforce federal immigration law, participate in immigration enforcement task forces or use its license plate reader technology for immigration enforcement. He said the department has prohibited those uses in agreements with its federal, state and local partners since the system was implemented.
CPD also emphasized that it does not use Flock Safety cameras, which have been at the center of much of the public discussion. Instead, Chico police own and operate Motorola license plate reader technology.
Aldridge said the system has helped investigators locate missing people, recover stolen property and solve crimes, including identifying the suspect accused of setting the fire that destroyed Bidwell Mansion.
CPD said it consulted with the Chico City Attorney's Office and Motorola's legal compliance resources before implementing the system in 2023 and believed its practices complied with state and federal law at the time. Aldridge said the department is now working with the City Attorney's Office to review its policies, practices and data-sharing agreements to ensure they align with current law, emerging legal guidance and community expectations.
"My responsibility is to care for our community and to use technology lawfully, transparently, and responsibly," Aldridge said. "I am committed to using LPR technology for public safety purposes while ensuring appropriate safeguards govern access to the information it provides."
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