Hundreds of agencies tap Atherton surveillance system for feds; Fails own rules
9 months ago
- #privacy
- #immigration
- #surveillance
- Atherton shares sensitive surveillance data with 295 outside agencies, including federal and immigration enforcement, despite California law and town policies.
- Atherton uses Flock Safety's 50 cameras to capture license plates, with 45 million vehicles passing annually, retaining data for 30 days.
- Outside agencies conducted 2.9 million searches of Atherton's ALPR database from Jan. 1 to July 15, 2025, averaging 40 searches per user monthly.
- Atherton's policy requires review of every search request and a specified reason, but compliance has lapsed since January.
- Bakersfield PD searched Atherton's ALPR system for 'HSI' (Homeland Security Investigations), raising concerns about immigration enforcement collaboration.
- Amador County Sheriff's Office and Anaheim PD also searched Atherton's database, with some searches linked to ICE and CBP.
- California law prohibits state and local agencies from aiding federal immigration enforcement, but some agencies admit to violating this.
- Flock's ALPR network in Illinois was similarly used for immigration enforcement, bypassing state restrictions.
- Civil liberties groups argue warrantless ALPR searches violate the Fourth Amendment, with a lawsuit pending in Virginia.
- Atherton's ALPR policy lacks enforcement, with agencies often providing vague reasons like 'crime' for searches.
- Privacy advocates call for stricter access controls, retention policy enforcement, and accountability for policy violations.