The La Mesa Police Department has decided to review its policy governing automated license plate readers to provide greater oversight and accountability for the surveillance tool.
The announcement comes following a Times of San Diego analysis of La Mesa’s use of license plate readers and the high frequency with which other law enforcement agencies are tapping into the street light surveillance cameras.
The analysis found that during seven months, from July 1, 2025, through Feb. 2, law enforcement agencies logged more than 3 million scans on the East County city’s 20 license plate readers.
On average, that is 14,412 scans per day.
The high number of searches is a result of La Mesa agreeing to be part of Flock Safety’s statewide Automated License Plate Reader Network, meaning law enforcement agencies that are also part of the state network can search all cameras for hits, including La Mesa’s.
Some cities, including San Diego, opted out of the network, preventing outside agencies from accessing the license plate readers without direct authorization.
But La Mesa police are now rethinking the department’s inclusion in the state network and working to bolster transparency with the surveillance program.
“[Automated License Plate Readers] are an exceptionally valuable tool that helps us solve crimes, locate vehicles connected to criminal activity, and keep our communities safer. We also understand that this technology raises legitimate privacy concerns, and we take those concerns seriously,” said Lt. Travis Higgins in a statement to Times of San Diego.
La Mesa police will reconsider whether to limit which agencies the department shares with or leave Flock’s shared network entirely. The city will soon require outside agencies that use its cameras to sign data-use agreements, which require officers to list the reasons for the search and assurances that the searches only will be used for law enforcement purposes, as governed by city code.
The police department also will provide specific reasons why some license plate reader searches are not shared with the public.
“We want to work closely with stakeholders, elected officials and community leaders to build a program people understand and feel confident in,” Higgins said. “That means listening to concerns, welcoming constructive input, and putting reasonable safeguards in place while being open about how the technology is used. Keeping our community safe and maintaining its trust go hand in hand.”
