# San Diego Council Advances ALPR Contract Termination

San Diego’s Budget and Government Efficiency Committee unanimously advanced a proposal to end the city’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) policy and terminate its existing contract, but the full City Council has not yet voted. The reported contract is valued at $2 million, and the city’s independent budget analyst estimates termination could save approximately $2 million annually. Mayor Todd Gloria may veto the measure; overriding a veto would require six of nine council votes. An ACLU lawsuit seeking to halt ALPR use adds legal uncertainty for the city and contractors supporting the technology.

- The decision remains pending, so ALPR contractors should distinguish the committee’s action from a final council decision when assessing contract exposure and future revenue.
- If the city terminates the contract, contractors may face transition work and data-deletion considerations; the signals identify these as issues to resolve but do not establish final requirements.
- The estimated annual savings and possible prohibition on ALPR use make this a relevant precedent for public-safety technology procurements and municipal surveillance-system planning.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Public Safety, Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure, Policy
**Published:** October 22, 2026

### Government Entities
- City of San Diego
- San Diego City Council
- San Diego Police Department (SDPD)

### Vendors
- Flock Safety (Incumbent ALPR technology provider)
- Ubicquia (Incumbent ALPR services provider, as identified in one signal)

### Key Quotes
> When someone calls for assistance, they don't need a Flock camera; they need help to be on the way quickly.
> — Stephen Whitburn, Councilmember

> Automated License Plate Readers are helping San Diego police solve serious crimes, recover stolen vehicles and property, and locate missing people.
> — Todd Gloria, Mayor

### Sources
- [A San Diego City Council proposal to end a contract with Flock Safety and its Automated License Plate Reader technology moves forward.  https://t.co/7b8NQVDaGe](https://x.com/nbcsandiego/status/2113088003778150429) - twitter-sled
- [San Diego Just Moved To Cancel Its $2 Million Flock Deal—the Mayor Says He’ll Fight It - MotorBiscuit](https://www.motorbiscuit.com/san-diego-just-moved-to-cancel-its-2-million-flock-deal-the-mayor-says-hell-fight-it) - MotorBiscuit
- [City Council Votes To End Flock Camera Contract 
(THE INTIFADA'S WINNING & THE ENEMY'S IN COLLAPSE, EVEN THOUGH #FLOCKOWEEN'S NOW 9 DAYS AWAY!!)
https://t.co/Lz9Q9S34iP](https://x.com/OnlineFreeUSA/status/2113267798478622859) - twitter-sled