Renton Police shut down license plate cameras to comply with new privacy law
Renton Police shut down license plate cameras to comply with new privacy law
https://mynorthwest.com/mynorthwest-politics/renton-flock-camera/4225670
Publish Date: 2026-04-07 13:42:00
Source Domain: mynorthwest.com
The Renton Police Department (RPD) has temporarily shut down its Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras in compliance with Senate Bill 6002, which regulates their use.
A Flock Safety camera uses artificial intelligence to collect footage of a vehicle, whether it be a license plate or other characteristics, and then the data is used by law enforcement to search for the vehicle.
“Flock cameras are not live surveillance tools and do not provide real-time video feeds or facial recognition. Instead, they capture still images of vehicles and license plates strictly for investigative purposes,” the City of Renton stated. “Officers can only access the data with a legitimate crime-related justification, and all searches are logged for accountability purposes.”
Department rushes to update policies after cameras helped solve 25% more stolen vehicle cases
Renton Police Chief John Schuldt said that the cameras help solve crimes, though they’ve been shut down since March 31 as the city establishes new privacy guidelines to comply with state law.
RPD is rewriting department policy to align with the new law, conducting training, and working with camera vendors to include new software updates that further comply with SB 6002, but the department noted it wants the devices back online as soon as possible.
Schuldt noted that ALPRs have led to a 25% increase in stolen-vehicle recoveries.
The pause in using Flock cameras has impacted a recent homicide investigation that occurred outside city limits. The homicide involved a suspect vehicle driving into Renton and past Flock Cameras.
In December 2024, RPD added 24 new Flock Safety cameras to enhance public safety within the area. Privacy advocates raised significant concerns about cameras, which potentially led to mass surveillance and misuse by federal immigration enforcement, concerns that helped pass the state’s first law regulating the devices.
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