An audit by the Santa Cruz County Office of Inspector General found no impropriety in the Sheriff's Office use of automated license plate reader data. - 794 queries were made to the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center database in one month.
- All searches were for legitimate law enforcement purposes, such as locating missing persons or investigating violent crimes. - No violations of state privacy laws (SB 34 and SB 54) were found.
- The Sheriff's Office agreed to implement monthly audits and improve documentation. The audit confirms appropriate use of the technology, though critics raise privacy concerns about data access without a direct contract.