{
  "title": "Statements and records: the Police Department's published ALPR statements beside its own records",
  "updated": "2026-10-03",
  "note": "Each row sets what the City's ALPR page and the department's two vendor portals say beside what the department's own released records say on the same topic, quoted with their locations. The table compares wording only; it does not say whether any rule was followed. Portal figures are the latest daily readings.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "city-alpr-page",
      "side": "statement",
      "label": "City ALPR page",
      "publisher": "City of Altoona",
      "title": "ALPR Technology in Altoona: Public Safety, Privacy & Accountability",
      "source_id": "altoona-alpr-technology",
      "url": "https://www.altoona-iowa.com/departments/public_safety/police/technology_in_altoona__public_safety,_privacy___accountability.php",
      "capture": {
        "path": "newsroom/alpr-promises/city-alpr-page-2026-10-03.txt",
        "sha256": "8bcbb22bf3baec57178061f5b20d30d96a0b9dd82108b39af0281ea3d408376d",
        "captured": "2026-10-03"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "flock-portal",
      "side": "statement",
      "label": "Flock portal",
      "publisher": "Altoona IA PD, on a portal hosted by Flock Safety",
      "title": "Altoona IA PD Transparency Portal",
      "source_id": "flock-transparency-altoona",
      "url": "https://transparency.flocksafety.com/altoona-ia-pd",
      "capture": {
        "path": "newsroom/alpr-transparency-raw/2026/10/02/flock-manual-130956Z.txt",
        "sha256": "83405dc42989b847fc44185f711dea8bac5afb7315f4b808092102bba7976c36",
        "captured": "2026-10-02"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "axon-portal",
      "side": "statement",
      "label": "Axon portal",
      "publisher": "Altoona Police Dept., on a portal hosted by Axon",
      "title": "ALPR Policy and Usage",
      "source_id": "altoona-axon-alpr-policy",
      "url": "https://altoonapdia.evidence.com/alpr/public/policy",
      "capture": {
        "path": "newsroom/alpr-transparency-raw/2026/10/03/axon-135843Z.txt",
        "sha256": "dd2decfbe78f835e1f3d8b19b81823f1a52bde0861dfe6497110201183a683ae",
        "captured": "2026-10-03"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "policy-424",
      "side": "record",
      "label": "Policy 424",
      "record_id": "apd-policy-424-alpr"
    },
    {
      "id": "retention-schedule",
      "side": "record",
      "label": "Retention schedule",
      "record_id": "apd-records-retention-schedule"
    },
    {
      "id": "flock-terms-2022",
      "side": "record",
      "label": "Flock agreement terms",
      "record_id": "flock-proposal-and-agreement-2021-2022"
    },
    {
      "id": "flock-order-2024",
      "side": "record",
      "label": "Flock order, May 2024",
      "record_id": "flock-order-2024-05-08-29-cameras"
    },
    {
      "id": "state-restrictions",
      "side": "record",
      "label": "Flock state-restrictions screen",
      "record_id": "flock-state-restrictions-screen"
    },
    {
      "id": "sharing-export",
      "side": "record",
      "label": "Flock sharing-network export",
      "feed": "/alpr/sharing-network-counts.json",
      "url": "/records-requests#history-network"
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    {
      "id": "retention",
      "label": "Retention",
      "question": "How long are plate reads kept?",
      "statements": [
        {
          "source": "city-alpr-page",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Under Iowa law, a captured registration plate image and accompanying data must be permanently deleted no later than 30 days after capture.",
          "locator": "Privacy, Access & Accountability: Data Retention"
        },
        {
          "source": "city-alpr-page",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Before deletion, law enforcement may copy information relevant to an ongoing criminal case or investigation and retain it under the agency's evidence-retention policy.",
          "locator": "Privacy, Access & Accountability: Data Retention"
        },
        {
          "source": "flock-portal",
          "kind": "reading",
          "text": "Data Retention: {flock.retention_window_days} days (portal reading of {flock.data_as_of|date})",
          "locator": "Data & Usage Summary: Data Retention",
          "feed": "/alpr/transparency-metrics.json"
        },
        {
          "source": "axon-portal",
          "kind": "reading",
          "text": "Plate Read Record Retention: {axon.retention_window_days} days (portal reading of {axon.data_as_of|date})",
          "locator": "Policy Settings: Plate Read Record Retention",
          "feed": "/alpr/transparency-metrics.json"
        }
      ],
      "records": [
        {
          "source": "policy-424",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "All stored ALPR data should be retained in accordance with the established records retention schedule. Thereafter, ALPR data should be purged unless it has become, or it is reasonable to believe it will become, evidence in a criminal or civil action or is subject to a discovery request or other lawful action to produce records.",
          "locator": "424.5, page 2"
        },
        {
          "source": "retention-schedule",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Up to 30 days or determined by ALPR vendor",
          "locator": "Page 2, Schedule 4: Electronic Records, row \"Automated License Plate Readers\" (Flock, LEARN, Axon), Retention Period column"
        }
      ],
      "asks": [
        "retention"
      ],
      "see_also": []
    },
    {
      "id": "search-reasons",
      "label": "Search reasons",
      "question": "What must a search record?",
      "statements": [
        {
          "source": "city-alpr-page",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Users must document a specific law-enforcement reason and case number for every search.",
          "locator": "Common Questions: Can an officer search ALPR for any reason?"
        },
        {
          "source": "flock-portal",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "All system access requires a valid reason and is stored indefinitely.",
          "locator": "Policy & Trust: Access Policy"
        },
        {
          "source": "axon-portal",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "All data searches require a valid search reason or case number which is captured in audit logs and stored indefinitely.",
          "locator": "Data Policy Access"
        }
      ],
      "records": [
        {
          "source": "policy-424",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "All searches should include a valid case number, or a detailed reason in the Reason field when a case number is not issued.",
          "locator": "424.4(g), page 2"
        },
        {
          "source": "policy-424",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Reasonable suspicion or probable cause is not required before using an ALPR.",
          "locator": "424.4(b), page 1"
        },
        {
          "source": "retention-schedule",
          "kind": "absence",
          "text": "None of the schedule's three pages has a row for plate-reader search, access or audit logs; its Automated License Plate Readers row covers the plate data.",
          "locator": "Pages 1 to 3"
        }
      ],
      "asks": [
        "audit-logs"
      ],
      "see_also": []
    },
    {
      "id": "audits",
      "label": "Audits",
      "question": "How is use checked?",
      "statements": [
        {
          "source": "city-alpr-page",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "ALPR activity is logged by user, reason and case number. Altoona's ALPR systems are audited quarterly.",
          "locator": "Privacy, Access & Accountability: Logged Activity"
        },
        {
          "source": "city-alpr-page",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Search activity is logged, auditable, reviewed quarterly and subject to department policy.",
          "locator": "Common Questions: Can an officer search ALPR for any reason?"
        }
      ],
      "records": [
        {
          "source": "policy-424",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "ALPR system audits should be conducted on a regular basis.",
          "locator": "424.6(c), page 2"
        },
        {
          "source": "policy-424",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "All ALPR data downloaded to the mobile workstation and in storage shall be accessible only through a login/password-protected system capable of documenting all access of information by name, date and time.",
          "locator": "424.6(a), page 2"
        }
      ],
      "asks": [
        "audits-and-complaints"
      ],
      "see_also": [
        {
          "href": "/records-requests#external-reports-heading",
          "label": "An outside report on audits (External report)"
        },
        {
          "href": "/why#national-forces",
          "label": "A Virginia misuse charge found by an audit after a coworker's tip (External report)"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "sharing",
      "label": "Sharing",
      "question": "Who else can use the data?",
      "statements": [
        {
          "source": "city-alpr-page",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Access or sharing with another law-enforcement agency must be for an authorized law-enforcement purpose and is subject to system controls, logging, agreements, policy and law.",
          "locator": "Common Questions: Can another police department access Altoona ALPR information?"
        }
      ],
      "records": [
        {
          "source": "policy-424",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "The ALPR data may be shared only with other law enforcement or prosecutorial agencies for official law enforcement purposes or as otherwise permitted by law",
          "locator": "424.7, page 2"
        },
        {
          "source": "policy-424",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Any searches made on behalf of an outside agency should include the name of the agency that made the request, a valid case number, or a detailed reason in the Reason field when a case number is not issued.",
          "locator": "424.4(h), page 2"
        },
        {
          "source": "sharing-export",
          "kind": "count",
          "text": "In {shared_to.count|n} of the export's {source.rows_total|n} rows, the “Networks I'm Sharing” column contains Altoona IA PD; {shared_to_federal.count|n} of those organizations are tagged federal. A configured sharing relationship does not show that any agency searched Altoona's data.",
          "locator": "Row counts of the export dated {source.as_of|date} (not posted)",
          "feed": "/alpr/sharing-network-counts.json"
        }
      ],
      "asks": [
        "data-sharing",
        "flagged-searches"
      ],
      "see_also": []
    },
    {
      "id": "selling",
      "label": "Selling the data",
      "question": "Can the data be sold?",
      "statements": [
        {
          "source": "city-alpr-page",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Altoona's contracts prohibit its ALPR providers from selling the Department's data.",
          "locator": "Common Questions: Can Altoona's ALPR data be sold?"
        },
        {
          "source": "flock-portal",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Data is used for law enforcement purposes only. Data is owned by Altoona IA PD and is never sold to 3rd parties.",
          "locator": "Policy & Trust: Acceptable Use Policy"
        }
      ],
      "records": [
        {
          "source": "flock-terms-2022",
          "kind": "absence",
          "text": "No sentence in the agreement's terms mentions selling Agency Data or Footage; their only sale wording covers the hardware, Flock's software and services, and an international sale-of-goods convention.",
          "locator": "Government agency terms, pages 23 to 35"
        },
        {
          "source": "flock-terms-2022",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "As between Flock and Agency, all right, title and interest in the Agency Data and Non-Agency End User Data, belong to and are retained solely by Agency.",
          "locator": "Section 4.2, page 28"
        },
        {
          "source": "flock-terms-2022",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Agency hereby grants Flock a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free right and license (during and after the Service Term hereof) to (i) use and distribute such Aggregated Data to improve and enhance the Services and for other marketing, development, diagnostic and corrective purposes, other Flock offerings, and crime prevention efforts",
          "locator": "Section 4.4, page 29"
        },
        {
          "source": "flock-terms-2022",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "For the sake of clarity, Aggregated Data is compiled anonymous data which has been stripped of any personal identifying information.",
          "locator": "Section 4.4, page 29"
        },
        {
          "source": "flock-order-2024",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "By executing this Order Form, Customer represents and warrants that it has read and agrees to all of the terms and conditions contained in the previously executed agreement.",
          "locator": "Page 6"
        }
      ],
      "asks": [
        "contracts"
      ],
      "see_also": []
    },
    {
      "id": "prohibited-uses",
      "label": "Prohibited uses",
      "question": "What uses are ruled out?",
      "statements": [
        {
          "source": "flock-portal",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Traffic enforcement, harassment or intimidation, usage based solely on a protected class (i.e. race, sex, religion), personal use, any searches from outside agencies related to immigration enforcement or reproductive care investigations.",
          "locator": "Policy & Trust: Prohibited Uses"
        },
        {
          "source": "axon-portal",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Harassment, intimidation, usage based solely on a protected class (race, sex, religion, etc....), personal use.",
          "locator": "Prohibited Uses"
        },
        {
          "source": "city-alpr-page",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Personal or unauthorized use is prohibited.",
          "locator": "Privacy, Access & Accountability: Law-Enforcement Purpose"
        }
      ],
      "records": [
        {
          "source": "policy-424",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Department members shall not use, or allow others to use, the equipment or database records for any unauthorized purpose.",
          "locator": "424.4, page 1"
        },
        {
          "source": "policy-424",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "An ALPR shall only be used for official law enforcement business.",
          "locator": "424.4(a), page 1"
        },
        {
          "source": "policy-424",
          "kind": "absence",
          "text": "The policy does not list prohibited uses by name: it does not mention traffic enforcement, protected classes, immigration enforcement or reproductive care.",
          "locator": "Pages 1 to 3"
        },
        {
          "source": "state-restrictions",
          "kind": "summary",
          "text": "The department's Flock account shows Altoona affirming Illinois's limits on using that state's plate data (affirmed in 2023) and New Mexico's (affirmed in 2026). The New Mexico affirmation agrees “not to access New Mexico LPR information to investigate or assist in immigration enforcement”; each covers that state's data.",
          "locator": "State Restrictions screen, Illinois and New Mexico"
        }
      ],
      "asks": [],
      "see_also": []
    },
    {
      "id": "hotlist-alerts",
      "label": "Hotlist alerts",
      "question": "What happens before officers act on an alert?",
      "statements": [
        {
          "source": "flock-portal",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Hotlist hits are required to be human verified prior to action.",
          "locator": "Policy & Trust: Hotlist Policy"
        },
        {
          "source": "axon-portal",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Hotlist alerts are required to be human-verified before taking action.",
          "locator": "Hotlist Policy"
        },
        {
          "source": "city-alpr-page",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "A system reading or alert must be independently verified before enforcement action is taken.",
          "locator": "Common Questions: What happens if the system reads a plate incorrectly?"
        }
      ],
      "records": [
        {
          "source": "policy-424",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "If practicable, the officer should verify an ALPR response through the appropriate official law enforcement database before taking enforcement action that is based solely on an ALPR alert.",
          "locator": "424.4(f), page 2"
        }
      ],
      "asks": [
        "compliance"
      ],
      "see_also": []
    },
    {
      "id": "access",
      "label": "Access and training",
      "question": "Who can get into the system?",
      "statements": [
        {
          "source": "city-alpr-page",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Officers and other authorized personnel must complete extensive department-approved ALPR training before they are granted access. Each user has an individual account.",
          "locator": "Privacy, Access & Accountability: Controlled Access"
        }
      ],
      "records": [
        {
          "source": "policy-424",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "No member of this department shall operate ALPR equipment or access ALPR data without first completing department-approved training.",
          "locator": "424.4(d), page 1"
        },
        {
          "source": "retention-schedule",
          "kind": "quote",
          "text": "Admin, Detectives, Supervisor, officer",
          "locator": "Page 2, row \"Automated License Plate Readers\", Access Level column"
        }
      ],
      "asks": [
        "compliance"
      ],
      "see_also": []
    }
  ]
}