The cameras capture point-in-time images of the rear of vehicles traveling on public roadways
License plate reader cameras have begun operating in Mar Vista as part of a broader public safety initiative funded by Los Angeles City Council District 11, officials said.
The program uses $450,000 in discretionary funds approved by Councilmember Traci Park’s office to purchase the cameras and cover data storage and access costs for three years. City officials said a decision on whether to continue funding the system beyond that period will be made at a later date.
A total of 39 license plate reader cameras are being installed across Council District 11, primarily along major roadways and key entry and exit points. Of those, 14 cameras are hardwired due to site conditions that limit solar power availability, while 25 are solar-powered.
The cameras are manufactured by Flock Safety, a company whose technology is also used by Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and other Southern California cities, allowing participating agencies to share data regionally when authorized.
According to city officials, the cameras capture point-in-time images of the rear of vehicles traveling on public roadways. Images that do not match a specific search or alert related to an active investigation are not accessed and are automatically deleted.
Officials said data collected by the system is owned by the local agency using it, not by Flock Safety, and is not sold to third parties. Participating agencies control how data is accessed, shared and retained, and can revoke access at any time.
Department policy includes restrictions on data retention, access controls, auditing and accountability measures.
LAPD officials said all license plate reader data is owned by the department and is not shared with federal agencies or agencies outside California.
