Las Cruces adds contract restrictions to Flock ALPR system, including AI training ban

Event: September 21, 2026 · First reported: September 21, 2026 · 1 source

Las Cruces has added new terms to its Flock Safety contract, including a prohibition on using camera data to train artificial intelligence systems and a requirement that the city be notified of requests to disclose collected data, according to District 3 City Councilor Michael Harris. The Las Cruces Police Department launched a public transparency portal on Sept. 15 showing how it uses automated license plate readers and logging searches. Harris said the portal is welcome but limited to ALPRs, and he is proposing a broader surveillance technology ordinance covering drones, live-view cameras and other tools. District 4 Councilor Johana Bencomo said she trusts LCPD's internal safeguards but remains concerned about how the vendor protects data on vulnerable communities.

Why this matters

Las Cruces illustrates how cities can negotiate vendor contract terms — such as AI training bans and disclosure notifications — as a governance tool, and the proposed ordinance would test whether technology-neutral surveillance oversight is more durable than case-by-case reviews.

Key facts

Contract changes include a ban on using Flock data to train AI systems and a requirement that the city be notified of data disclosure requests, per Councilor Michael Harris.
LCPD announced a public ALPR transparency portal on Sept. 15 showing camera usage and search activity.
Harris's proposed surveillance ordinance would require privacy rules, retention limits, cost-benefit reviews, transparency reports, public comment and council approval, with reviews every couple of years.
Councilor Johana Bencomo said out-of-state agencies granted access must sign an affidavit agreeing to follow New Mexico protections on immigration, cannabis use and reproductive health care.
Bencomo said the cameras photograph vehicle rears, not drivers, and the system does not use facial detection or provide live video; she wants the portal expanded to list data-sharing agencies, 30-day detection counts, a downloadable search audit and a policy link.
The proposed ordinance has not been enacted; it remains a councilor's proposal.

Sources

This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.

Las Cruces adds privacy rules to Flock camera contract (Las Cruces Sun-news, September 21, 2026)

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About this record

BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.

Updated September 21, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.