Plumas County does not have Flock Safety cameras or any automated license plate readers, and no plans exist to acquire them, according to Sheriff Chad Hermann and CHP Lieutenant Commander Marc Peachey.
These cameras use artificial intelligence to record license plates of passing cars. Law enforcement agencies use the data to locate suspects or missing persons.
Opposition to these cameras has grown nationwide, especially after some agencies shared data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in violation of state law. Sheriff Hermann said concerns rose mainly when the cameras started being used in immigration enforcement.
Hermann understands the concerns about privacy and Fourth Amendment rights. From his perspective, the cameras offer valuable leads in crimes like child kidnappings by tracking nearby vehicles.
The cost remains a barrier. Each camera costs around $14,000, and a network of 10 would require $140,000, which the Plumas County Sheriff’s Department cannot currently fund. Annual software updates would add to the expense.
Lieutenant Commander Peachey said decisions on camera installations are made above the local level. CHP cameras in the Bay Area are coordinated through Caltrans.
Deploying these cameras would require clear policies. Questions include who can access the data and how long to keep it. Some retail outlets erase footage within 24 hours, but law enforcement sometimes discovers crimes weeks after they occur. Hermann questioned the usefulness of data deleted too quickly.
Any new policy must comply with state laws and include public input. Hermann hopes the community will participate in shaping these rules.
California lawmakers have struggled to regulate license plate readers. A bill to strengthen privacy protections failed to reach a vote this year, marking the fifth year without new regulations.
Hermann said the technology remains valuable if used properly. He linked current opposition to broader distrust in government, calling for rebuilding trust so authorities can use tools like license plate readers responsibly.
