Apache Junction City Council Meeting - 9/1/26

The City of Apache Junction, Arizona, City Council held a meeting on September 1, 2026, which included a significant public hearing focused on the use of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, specifically the Flock Safety system, by the police department. The police chief presented detailed information about the technology's use, benefits in crime solving, and recent misuse by an officer, along with new safeguards and audit procedures implemented to prevent future abuse. The city attorney provided legal opinions affirming the constitutionality of ALPR use without a warrant under current law. The public hearing featured extensive community input, with many residents expressing concerns about privacy, potential misuse, and constitutional rights violations, while others supported the technology for its role in public safety. The council acknowledged the diverse opinions and indicated plans for further work sessions to discuss the ALPR program and other community issues such as animal hoarding and city planning. No formal vote on the ALPR program was recorded during this meeting.