Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is moving away from the Flock automatic license‑plate readers (ALPR) that were recently taken offline after a local resident dismantled several units. Sheriff John Allen confirmed the department will adopt Axon’s ALPR system, the same platform already used for the agency’s body‑worn cameras.
Why the change?
Allen explained that the new Axon system will keep data within the county and prevent it from being automatically pooled into a national database. “It is the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office data. As far as mass surveillance is concerned, I’m not sharing it with everybody around the nation anymore,” he said.
The sheriff emphasized that the transition is motivated by privacy concerns raised by community members and the recent incident in which a Rio Rancho man removed several Flock readers from the streets. While the man’s actions were illegal, they highlighted the public’s desire for stronger safeguards on how vehicle‑identification information is stored and used.
Benefits for public safety
Despite the privacy focus, Allen stressed that ALPR technology remains a valuable tool for law enforcement. “Every day that our deputies are using this, we’re cutting down on the time that we’re finding offenders,” he noted, pointing to the system’s role in locating stolen vehicles, tracking wanted suspects, and supporting investigations.
By switching to Axon, the sheriff’s office expects to retain those investigative advantages while adding layers of data protection. Axon’s platform includes encrypted storage, limited access controls, and audit trails that document who views the information and when.
Location details remain confidential
When asked where the new cameras will be installed, Allen declined to provide specifics, citing concerns that public disclosure could lead to vandalism. “I’ll never tell people that. The reason is people are cutting them down there, causing damage,” he said.
The decision to keep placement details private aligns with the department’s goal of preserving the effectiveness of the technology while respecting community concerns.
Community response
Local residents have expressed mixed reactions. Some welcome the added privacy safeguards, while others worry about any form of surveillance. The sheriff’s office plans to hold a public information session next month to explain how the Axon system works and to answer questions about data handling.
Overall, the transition reflects a balance between protecting citizens’ privacy rights and maintaining a tool that has proven its worth in crime‑fighting efforts.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
