From Tempe City Council Bans Automated License Plate Reader Technology

How could the exemption of ASU cameras affect Flock Safety's operations in Tempe?

Possible What happens if… A possibility worth considering, not a forecast.

Flock Safety maintains operational presence at ASU despite Tempe's ALPR ban While the Tempe City Council banned automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology and ended its contract with Flock Safety, the ordinance specifically exempts the 20 Flock cameras located on the Arizona State University campus. This exemption allows the company to maintain an operational presence and continue using its technology at the university, despite the city-wide prohibition on future contracts and funding for ALPR systems. The ban itself blocks law enforcement use of ALPRs, but the university's status provides a specific exception to that rule.

Reported by 1 independent outlet Written Friday

Effect: Mixed
How direct: Stated in the reporting
When: Over the long term
The story: No new developments lately

How it reaches Flock Safety

Reported by news outlets

The Tempe City Council approved a ban on ALPR technology, which blocks law enforcement use and future contracts. However, the new ordinance specifically states that the ban will not affect the 20 Flock cameras located on the Arizona State University campus, providing a specific operational exception. Because the cameras on the Arizona State University campus are exempt from the city's ban, Flock Safety can continue to operate and utilize its ALPR technology at that specific location, maintaining a limited operational footprint despite the termination of its broader city contract.

1 report connects these two. Brind only summarizes; follow a link to read the reporting itself.
- azfamily.com Jan 1

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The facts so far

As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.

The Tempe City Council approved a ban on automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology in a 6-1 vote.azfamily.com
The new ordinance blocks law enforcement use, funding and future contracts related to ALPR systems.azfamily.com
Tempe ended its contract with Flock, a company that produces ALPRs, because of concerns over the risk of misuse.azfamily.com
The ban won’t affect the 20 Flock cameras that Arizona State University has on its Tempe campus.azfamily.com

Why it matters

The overall municipal ban represents a significant market contraction for surveillance technology companies like Flock Safety, as it blocks future contracts and funding from law enforcement in Tempe. The city had previously deployed 33 Flock cameras, and the ban is part of a larger trend where nearly a dozen cities in Arizona have ended, suspended, or announced they will not renew ALPR contracts.

However, the exemption for Arizona State University provides a specific, protected operational niche. For Flock Safety, this means that even as the city-wide market shrinks, a small, stable revenue stream and operational presence remains in Tempe, tied to the university's campus.

What we don't know yet

Will the exemption for Arizona State University be maintained or challenged by the city council?
Will the university seek to expand or restrict the use of the 20 exempted cameras?

What would change this answer

The Tempe City Council attempts to narrow the exemption scope for ASU cameras.This would immediately threaten the operational status of the 20 cameras, potentially forcing Flock Safety to remove the equipment.

Arizona State University decides to expand its use of the exempted cameras.This would increase the operational value of the exemption for Flock Safety, potentially offsetting some of the losses from the city ban.

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Who else could feel it

Other possible ripples from the same event.

Axon EnterpriseLikelyTempe's ALPR ban could curtail Axon Enterprise's surveillance contracts

Reporting

azfamily.comJan 1

Keep going

The full eventTempe City Council Bans Automated License Plate Reader Technology Everything aboutFlock Safety

Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.