Los Angeles is set to launch a pilot program deploying hundreds of license plate readers manufactured by Axon Enterprise, following a City Council vote clearing the initiative earlier this week. The program, which will install the devices on streetlights across the city, marks a shift from previous use of similar technology supplied by Flock Safety amid ongoing privacy concerns and public debate.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has used license plate reader technology for years, which scans vehicle plates and cross-references them with databases to assist in criminal investigations and other public safety matters. Until recently, the department relied on Flock Safety’s devices but did not renew its contract earlier this year over worries about data sharing, particularly with immigration enforcement agencies.

Axon, a longtime supplier of police equipment to the LAPD—including Tasers, body cameras, and recently secured AI-assisted report-writing software—has now taken the lead in providing license plate readers. The company recently signed a $235 million contract with the LAPD, and its products are positioned to support law enforcement operations ahead of the 2028 Olympics. Axon executives have cited robustness in privacy controls as a key factor attracting agencies shifting away from Flock.

The move follows a broader national backlash against Flock Safety’s technology. Critics argue that the widespread use of Flock cameras amounts to unconstitutional mass surveillance without warrants, fueled in part by concerns the data has been used for immigration enforcement under the Trump administration and reports of misuse to stalk individuals. Dozens of U.S. cities have paused or ended their contracts with Flock, while others—including Denver—have opted to contract with Axon or different providers. Nationwide, some have resorted to vandalizing Flock cameras publicly.

Local activists and some City Council members have voiced strong opposition to the pilot. Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martínez and Eunisses Hernandez called for stricter policies on access, auditing, and data sharing, expressing unease about potential abuses and broader surveillance implications. In contrast, Councilmember Traci Park, whose district includes neighborhoods affected by recent burglaries and violence, defended the technology’s utility in aiding criminal investigations.

The pilot program passed despite opposition failing to achieve the two-thirds majority necessary to send it back for further review by the Police Commission. LAPD officials emphasized the department’s new policies on license plate readers would grant the police department full ownership of the data, restrict sharing with outside agencies without senior approval, and limit usage to serious public safety cases such as criminal investigations and missing persons.

An LAPD inspector general report released last month highlighted gaps in previous vendor agreements, noting unclear data retention periods and insufficient guidelines on third-party data sharing. The department’s revised license plate reader policies aim to address these concerns.

Meanwhile, scrutiny continues over local use of license plate readers. The watchdog group Stop LAPD Spying Coalition filed a lawsuit against Councilmember Park’s office, alleging refusal to disclose information on Flock devices in her district despite allocating over $450,000 for these installations.

Critics argue that replacing one vendor with another does not resolve concerns about pervasive surveillance, characterizing both companies as components of a larger, intrusive surveillance infrastructure. Supporters maintain that the technology provides valuable law enforcement tools essential for public safety. The debate over license plate readers in Los Angeles reflects a nationwide conversation balancing security needs and privacy rights as police adopt increasingly sophisticated surveillance tools.