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San Jose Ca.Gov
File #: 26-215    Version: 1
Type: Public Safety Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 2/24/2026 In control: City Council
On agenda: 3/10/2026 Final action:
Title: Automated License Plate Readers Data Usage Protocol Update.
Attachments: 1. Memorandum, 2. Letters from the Public

...Title

Automated License Plate Readers Data Usage Protocol Update.

...Recommendations

(a) Approve the following changes to the Police Department Automated License Plate Reader Data Usage Protocol:

 (1) Change the default retention period of data collected by the Automated License Plate Reader from “one year” to “30 days.”

 (2) Prohibit placing Automated License Plate Reader cameras in positions that capture data from vehicles entering or exiting any reproductive health care services facility primarily providing abortion services or any location primarily used for religious observance.

 (3) Make other technical, non-substantive, or formatting changes.

(b) Accept the report on the Police Department’s Automated License Plate Reader program and approve the following changes to the Automated License Plate Reader policy:

 (1) Require additional compliance documentation from California agencies requesting access to the Police Department’s Automated License Plate Reader data, including the reason justification, the crime type, and a case number.

 (2) Require approval from a command staff officer before assisting agencies without existing access.

 (3) Require multi-factor authentication for all access to the Automated License Plate Reader system.

(c) Add the following clarification to the Police Department’s public Automated License Plate Reader Transparency Portal: “The San José Police Department only shares data with California law enforcement agencies subject to the California Values Act (Senate Bill 54, 2017) and Automated License Plate Recognition Systems: Use of Data (Senate Bill 34, 2015). These laws prohibit information sharing with federal immigration enforcement. Transmittal of Police Department Automated License Plate Reader data to federal agencies for immigration enforcement is illegal.”

CEQA: Not a Project, File No. PP17-008, General Procedure and Policy making resulting in no changes to the physical environment. (Police)