Orange County
County record. Includes every city and agency within Orange County.
Technology presence
What these categories mean
- ALPR
- Automated license plate readers (ALPR): camera systems that automatically capture, read, and log vehicle license plates with location and time, producing a searchable record of vehicle movements.
- Fixed cameras & RTCC
- Agency-operated fixed video cameras and the real-time crime centers (RTCC) that aggregate live and recorded feeds for monitoring. Extends the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Atlas, which enumerates real-time crime centers and camera registries but not standalone fixed-camera estates.
- Face recognition
- Software that matches faces in images or video against a reference database to identify or verify individuals.
- Drones / UAS
- Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), commonly called drones, operated by an agency for overhead observation, imaging, or sensing.
- Gunshot detection
- Networks of acoustic sensors that detect and locate suspected gunfire and alert an agency.
- Body-worn & dashcam
- Officer body-worn and in-vehicle dashboard cameras that record encounters; public access to the footage is frequently restricted.
- Doorbell & camera registry
- Programs that give an agency access to privately owned camera footage: doorbell-camera partnerships, citizen camera registries, and private-camera integration platforms.
- Cell-site simulators
- Devices that mimic cell towers to locate or identify nearby mobile phones. They are often called Stingrays, or IMSI catchers after the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number that identifies each phone on a network. Adjacent: communications surveillance outside the visual/sensor core.
- Predictive policing
- Software that forecasts where crime may occur or who may be involved, to direct policing. Adjacent: analytics rather than a sensing deployment.
- Social-media monitoring
- Tools that collect and analyze public social-media activity for an agency. Adjacent: open-source/communications monitoring outside the visual/sensor core.
The record, by agency
Orange County Sheriff’s Department
The Orange County Sheriff's Office collected more than 471,000 vehicle scans in 2022 using automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Orange County Sheriff's OfficeMuckRockCalifornia State Auditor
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department uses Axon's Fusus camera registry.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Sierra Sun Times
Orange County Sheriff's Department
The Orange County Sheriff's Department uses a cell-site simulator.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Orange County Sheriff
Orange Police Department
The Orange Police Department operates automated license plate readers. The agency entered an agreement in 2024 to lease 43 Flock Safety automated license plate readers and 13 video cameras for two years, costing the city just over $410,000.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Los Angeles TimesBoard of State and Community CorrectionsOrange Police Department
The Orange Police Department entered into a 5-year contract with Axon for body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, and related services for $1.6 million in 2020.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Orange City CouncilOrange Police DepartmentOrange Police Department Facebook
The Orange Police Department operated eight DJI drones as of 2024.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Orange Police DepartmentOrange Police DepartmentCenter for the Study of the Drone at Bard College
The Orange Police Department uses an automated facial recognition (AFR) system.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Orange Police DepartmentOrange Police Department
Anaheim Police Department
The Anaheim Police Department operates automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Anaheim Police DepartmentAnaheim Police DepartmentAnaheim City Council
The Anaheim Police Department provides body-worn cameras "to both uniformed and non-uniformed personnel for use while on-duty," according to the agency's policy manual.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Anaheim Police Department Policy ManualAnaheim Police Department FacebookCity of Anaheim Website
The Anaheim Police Department purchased a cell-site simulator from Tactical Support Equipment in 2020. Previously, APD used CSSs from Harris Corporation, Digital Receiver Technologies, and KeyW, which is now Jacobs Technology.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Anaheim City Council minutesVocativwww.aclunc.org
The Anaheim Police Department began maintaining a community camera registry in 2025.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Anaheim Police Department
The Anaheim Police Department operates drones as of 2023.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Anaheim Police DepartmentAnaheim Police DepartmentCenter for the Study of the Drone at Bard College
The Anaheim Police Department began testing Veritone face recognition technology in 2018 and was formally approved to use the technology in 2020.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): GovTechVeritoneVoice of OC
Huntington Beach Police Department
The Huntington Beach Police Department usees Flock Safety and Motorola Solutions (formerly Vigilant Solutions) automated license plate readers).
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Huntington Beach Police DepartmentCalifornia State Auditor7/12/1905
The Huntington Beach Police Department spent $19,200 on body-worn cameras in 2017.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): City of Huntington Beach government websiteFacebook
The Huntington Beach Police Department maintains a voluntary registry of private and personal surveillance cameras.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): City of Huntington Beach
The Huntington Beach Police Department launched a drone as first responder program in 2025.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Orange Coast MagazineCity of Huntington BeachCenter for the Study of the Drone at Bard College
Brea Police Department
The Brea Police Department installed Motorola Solutions automated license plate readers at the major roads in and out of town in 2024.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Brea Police DepartmentBrea Police DepartmentBrea Police Depaartment
The Brea Police Department launched a drone-as-first responder program in 2024.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Brea Police DepartmentBrea Police DepartmentBrea Police Department
The Brea Police Department received approval to build an Integrated Crime Center in 2024.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Brea Police DepartmentBoard of State and Community Corrections
As of 2016, the Brea Police Department spent $9,000 each year on PredPol (now Geolitica) predictive policing software.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Brea CountyMeeting agenda/minutes/budgeting document
Irvine Police Department
The Irvine Police Department uses Motorola Solutions (formerly Vigilant Solutions) automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Irvine Police DepartmentMuckRockCalifornia State Auditor
The Irvine Police Department maintains a voluntary registry of private and personal surveillance cameras through Motorola Solutions' CityProtect platform.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): CityProtect
The Irvine Police Department operates a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): The Orange County RegisterCenter for the Study of the Drone at Bard CollegeCity of Irvine
The Irvine Police Department received funding from California's Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program in 2023 for a Real Time Crime Center.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): California Board of State and Community CorrectionsCalifornia Board of State and Community Corrections
Buena Park Police Department
As of April 2024, the Buena Park Police Department operates eight Flock Safety automated license plate readers. The agency stores ALPR data for 30 days.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Flock SafetyThe News & ObserverThe News & Observer
The Buena Park Police Department acquired approximately 70 body-worn cameras purchased by the Buena Park City Council.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): The Orange County RegisterOrange County Register
The Buena Park Police Department operated eight DJI drones as of 2023.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Buena Park Police DepartmentCenter for the Study of the Drone at Bard Collegewww.buenapark.com
Laguna Beach Police Department
The Laguna Beach Police Department collected more than 20,000,000 vehicle scans in 2022 using automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Laguna Beach Police DepartmentMuckRockCalifornia State Auditor
The Laguna Beach Police Department was authorized to purchase $20,000 worth of body-worn camera replacements from Motorola in August of 2021.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Laguna Beach City CouncilStu News LagunaLaguna Beach Police Employees' Association
The Laguna Beach Police Department operated six DJI drones as of 2022.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): City of Laguna BeachCenter for the Study of the Drone at Bard Collegewww.ocregister.com
Westminster Police Department
As of April 2024, the Westminster Police Department operates nine Flock Safety automated license plate readers. The agency stores ALPR data for 30 days.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Flock SafetyThe News & ObserverThe News & Observer
The Westminster Police Department equipped all of its patrol officers and detectives with Axon body-worn cameras in 2019.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Behind the Badge
The Westminster Police Department maintains a voluntary registry of private and personal surveillance cameras through Motorola Solutions' CityProtect platform.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): CityProtect
California State University Fullerton Police Department
The CSU Fullerton Police Department operates automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): CSU Fullerton Police Department's Facebook pageCalifornia State University Fullerton Police Department
The California State University Fullerton Police Department purchased 140 Axon body-worn cameras in 2014 for $650,300.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): California State University Fullerton Police DepartmentDaily Titan
Fullerton Police Department
The Fullerton Police Department uses Flock Safety and Motorola Solutions automated license plate reader technology.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Fullerton Police DepartmentMuckRockCalifornia State Auditor
The Fullerton Police Department operated drones as of 2024.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Fullerton Police DepartmentCenter for the Study of the Drone at Bard Collegefullertonpd.org
Garden Grove Police Department
The Garden Grove Police Department uses Flock Safety and Motorola Solutions automated license plate reader technology.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Garden Grove Police DepartmentMuckRockCalifornia State Auditor
The Garden Grove Police Department purchased WatchGuard body-worn cameras in 2018.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): WatchGuard
La Habra Police Department
The La Habra Police Department collected more than 8,000,000 vehicle scans in 2022 using automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): La Habra Police DepartmentMuckRockCalifornia State Auditor
The La Habra Police Depertment began using Axon body-worn cameras in 2017.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Behind the Badge
Newport Beach Police Department
The Newport Beach Police Department operates automated license plate readers. The agency received approval for a $1.4 million, five-year contract with Flock Safety for 69 automated license plate readers in 2024.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Newport Beach IndependentNewport Beach Police Department
The Newport Beach Police Department uses Axon's Fusus camera registry.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Newport Beach Independent
Placentia Police Department
The Placentia Police Department operates automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Placentia Police DepartmentCity of Placentia
The Placentia Police Department used body-worn cameras as of May 2022.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Associated PressCity of Placentia
Santa Ana Police Department
The Santa Ana Police Department obtained body-worn cameras in 2017.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): The Orange County RegisterVoice of Orange CountyOrange County Register
Seal Beach Police Department
The Seal Beach Police Department collected more than 19,000,000 vehicle scans in 2022 using automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Seal Beach Police DepartmentMuckRockCalifornia State Auditor
The Seal Beach Police Department purchased 50 body worn cameras from Axon in 2020.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Sun Newspapers
University of California Irvine Police Department
The University of California Irvine Police Department uses automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): University of California, Irvine Police Department
The University of California, Irvine Police Department began using body-worn cameras in 2019.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): University of California, Irvine Police Department Facebook, Body-worn camera announcementUniversity of Irvine Police Department Policy ManualUniversity of California, Irvine Police Department Facebook
Costa Mesa Police Department
As of April 2024, the Costa Mesa Police Department operates 30 Flock Safety automated license plate readers. The agency stores ALPR data for 365 days.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Flock SafetyThe News & ObserverThe News & Observer
Cypress Police Department
The Cypress Police Department uses automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Cypress Police DepartmentMuckRockCalifornia State Auditor
Fountain Valley Police Department
The Fountain Valley Police Department uses Motorola Volutions (formerly Vigilant Solutions) automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Fountain Valley Police DepartmentCalifornia State Auditor
La Palma Police Department
The La Palma Police Department uses Motorola Solutions (formerly Vigilant Solutions) automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): La Palma Police DepartmentMuckRockCalifornia State Auditor
Lake Forest Police Department
The Lake Forest Police Department purchased 10 Flock Safety automated license plate readers in 2020.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): City of Lake ForestLake Forest Police Department
Los Alamitos Police Department
The Los Alamitos City Council approved a one-year pilot program to lease 12 automated license plate readers from Flock Safety in June 2021, with installation scheduled to begin in February 2022 at various intersections in the city. Previously, the Los Alamitos Police Department contracted with Vigilant Solutins for automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): CIty of Los AlamintosCalifornia State Auditor
Stanton Public Safety Services Department
The City of Stanton leased eight Flock Safety automated license plate readers in 2020. The cameras placed at Beach Boulevard and Katella Avenue.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Stanton City Council
Tustin Police Department
The Tustin Police Department collected more than 3,000,000 vehicle scans in 2022 using automated license plate readers.
Sources (via the EFF Atlas): Tustin Police DepartmentMuckRockCalifornia State Auditor
Source: EFF Atlas of Surveillance (Electronic Frontier Foundation & University of Nevada, Reno — Reynolds School of Journalism) · CC BY 4.0 · retrieved July 2026
In the press
Coverage naming Orange County or a jurisdiction within it.