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MRSC — What to Know About the New Restrictions on Flock and Similar Camera Systems (WA SB 6002)
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What to Know About the New Restrictions on Flock and Similar Camera Systems
April 27, 2026
by
Harry Boesche
Category:
Law Enforcement
,
New Legislation and Regulations
,
Law Enforcement Records Disclosure
Agency use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) is on the rise. ALPRs can be an effective investigative and enforcement tool given their ability to quickly capture and transmit vehicle data to enforcement personnel, and many communities and enforcement agencies support using ALPRs in their efforts to detect violations and promote public safety. One popular ALPR vendor boasts that over 5,000 law enforcement agencies and over 6,000 communities across the county use their technology.
ALPRs also raise concerns about warrantless surveillance, individual privacy, and the potential for misuse, leading some to call for regulation on their use. The state legislature’s recent passage of SB 6002 seeks to address these concerns by enacting Washington’s first legal restrictions on ALPR access and use. This blog examines these new ALPR restrictions and how they will affect current and future ALPR use by Washington agencies.
Background: What Are ALPRs and How Do They Work?
ALPRs are camera systems affixed to stationary locations (like streetlights or utility poles) or mounted in agency vehicles that can quickly scan vehicle license plates and obtain, analyze, and store various types of vehicle information—including images identifying a vehicle and information about its physical characteristics or travel.
Importantly, the formal ALPR definition in SB 6002 excludes other public safety camera systems like the automated traffic safety cameras (known commonly as “speed cameras” or “red light cameras”) that are regulated by different authorities.
An ALPR works by reading a vehicle’s license plate and comparing the details gathered with other databases or information to alert police about the vehicle and its location or its connection to illegal activity (such as whether it has been stolen).
ALPRs can also connect vehicle information to individuals with arrest warrants or those reported missing, and they can be used for other public safety purposes, such as parking control or traffic management.
Concerns About Agency ALPR Use
While it is an effective tool in detecting and preventing crimes or traffic issues, unregulated ALPR use raises concerns about warrantless surveillance. For examples, proponents of ALPR restrictions note that ALPRs can capture data from vehicles that are not connected to unlawful activity.
Further, a 2025 study from the Center for Human Rights at the University of Washington revealed that the U.S. Border Patrol accessed and searched ALPR databases in numerous Washington localities for federal immigration enforcement purposes, potentially contravening authorities like RCW 10.93.160, the Keep Washington Working Act.