Issaquah Committee of the Whole Council Meeting May 11, 2026

The City of Issaquah Committee of the Whole Council Meeting on May 11, 2026, focused extensively on public safety technology, particularly the proposed use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and the acceptance of a federal grant for police equipment. The council discussed a federal Community Appropriations Grant originally intended to fund both conducted energy devices (CEDs or tasers) and ALPR cameras. Due to significant public concern over privacy, data security, and potential misuse of ALPR data—especially regarding the vendor Flock and its data sharing practices—the administration decided to exclude ALPR funding from the current grant acceptance and focus solely on upgrading tasers and interview room cameras. Multiple public speakers expressed strong opposition to ALPR systems, citing privacy risks, potential misuse by federal agencies such as ICE, and impacts on community trust and local business. The council heard detailed presentations on the benefits and risks of ALPR technology, including testimony from law enforcement officials and a University of Washington researcher on human rights implications. The council discussed the need for clear local ordinances to regulate ALPR data use and sharing, emphasizing local control and transparency. The grant acceptance vote was planned for June 15, 2026, with further policy discussions on ALPR guardrails scheduled for July. The meeting underscored the balance between leveraging technology for public safety and protecting civil liberties, with a strong community voice influencing procurement and policy decisions.