April 24, 2026 – Merced, CA – Merced Police Department releases the following statement: 

In the interest of transparency, the Merced Police Department is addressing recent concerns regarding automated license plate reader (ALPR) data sharing.

Following these reports, the Department conducted a comprehensive internal review of its ALPR system. That review determined that prior system configurations allowed data sharing with certain federal agencies.

Upon identifying this issue, the Department immediately disabled the identified connections and will continue to conduct additional audits to ensure ongoing compliance.

The Merced Police Department utilizes Motorola Solutions (Vigilant) technology for its license plate reader system and does not use Flock Safety cameras.

The Department remains committed to full compliance with California law, which limits data sharing and will ensure its systems and practices align with these legal requirements through ongoing review and oversight.

ALPR technology is an important investigative tool used to recover stolen vehicles, locate missing persons, identify vehicles connected to violent crimes, and support time-sensitive investigations. At the same time, the Department recognizes the importance of protecting privacy and maintaining public trust.

“This technology plays a critical role in public safety. In fact, recent use of our license plate reader system helped investigators identify and apprehend suspects connected to a homicide investigation,” said Steven Stanfield, Chief of Police. “While we are committed to leveraging tools that help solve serious crimes, we are equally committed to ensuring those tools are used in compliance with the law and with respect for our community’s privacy.”

A list of agencies identified through this review will be published on the Department's transparency page at: www.cityofmerced.gov/public-safety/police/transparency on April 24, 2026.

The Merced Police Department will continue to evaluate its systems and practices to ensure they align with both legal requirements and the expectations of the community it serves.

Source: Merced Police Department