Records & FOIA
Get the documents. That's what moves votes.
Arkansas' Freedom of Information Act gives residents a right to public records, and agencies generally must respond within three working days. A short, specific request beats a long, vague one.
Briefs you can hand out
- Mountain Home ALPR data control brief (PDF)Council-ready summary of who controls the data and what to ask.
- "Nothing to hide" surveillance comparison (PDF)Printable one-pager for neighbors, meetings, and tabling.
What to ask for
- Every contract, quote, invoice, and renewal notice for automated license plate readers, including vendor name and term dates.
- The current ALPR policy, including who may run a search, what justification is required, and who audits it.
- A log of ALPR searches for the last 12 months, including date, requesting user, agency, and stated reason (redacted as required).
- Any data-sharing agreements with other agencies, states, or federal partners.
- The retention schedule actually configured in the system, and any exceptions in force.
- The number and location of each device operated or accessed by the agency.
What Arkansas law already says
Official record · Ark. Code § 12-12-1804
Arkansas sets a general retention cap of roughly 150 days for license plate reader data, with exceptions when data is tied to an active investigation. Government entities may not sell, trade, or exchange captured plate data, and data that is evidence of an offense may be shared with law enforcement. None of that stops a city from deciding it does not want the cameras at all.
Official record · Act 668 of 2025 (SB446)
Enacted in April 2025, Act 668 expanded permitted private use of automated license plate readers by private landowners, leaseholders, and commercial businesses. This is why ownership of the locally mapped pins is a genuine open question rather than a formality: a roadside device is not automatically a government device, and the answer changes which records request applies.
Where to send it
Official forms
- City of Mountain Home FOIA request form — the official form for the City and Police Department.
- Baxter County Sheriff records instructions (FAQ) — how the Sheriff's Office handles records requests.
- Arkansas Attorney General — Opinions & FOIA — state guidance and opinions if a request is refused.
Mountain Home public accountability hub
The two briefs above are hosted on the Mountain Home public accountability hub, which keeps the deeper evidence desk. Deflock Mountain Home handles the organizing side: getting neighbors into the room when these contracts come up.
Open the accountability hubBackground on your rights under state law: Arkansas Attorney General FOIA resources.
Copy-and-paste request
Dear Records Custodian, Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, I request copies of the following records regarding automated license plate readers (ALPR), including but not limited to Flock Safety and Avigilon systems: 1. All contracts, quotes, invoices, and renewal notices, with term and renewal dates. 2. The current ALPR use policy and audit procedure. 3. A log of ALPR searches for the past 12 months, including date, user, agency, and stated reason. 4. All data-sharing agreements with other agencies. 5. The retention period currently configured, and any exceptions. 6. The number and location of devices operated or accessed by this agency. I am an Arkansas resident. Please advise if any portion is withheld and cite the exemption. Please respond within three working days as provided by law. Sincerely, [Your name, address, email]