Gulf Shores Activates 87 Security Cameras and License Plate Readers
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
April 27, 2026
GULF SHORES, Ala. The City of Gulf Shores leaders approved adding more cameras to enhance their current system about eight months ago.
City leaders agreed on adding additional Automatic License Plate Readers (APLR).
The city approved a contract with Flock Safety and have just days ago activated the APLRs throughout the city.
Now, at least 87 flock cameras are operational, and they have two types of cameras. One set reads license plates, while the other cameras scan the area, looking for potential threats or emergency situations.
Police Chief Dan Netemeyer says they’ve made three arrests related to a stolen car and outstanding warrants almost immediately.
While the cameras will assist with crime cases, they’ll also be utilized in missing persons cases and Silver Alerts.
“We were contacted by a local resident whose mother had driven out of Gulf Shores and had driven into the area of Panama City, Florida,” Chief Netemeyer said. “We entered that person’s plate into the Flock camera system, and within 12 minutes, officers assisted in her recovery.”
License Plate Readers do not track people nor follow them around.
APLRs capture license plates as vehicles drive by and search several databases to see if the vehicle is stolen or the driver is wanted. It also searches missing or wanted person databases.
“While some may understandably have privacy concerns, Chief Netemeyer wants to reassure residents that the system is not government overwatch and includes strict limits on who can access data and how long it’s kept,” the city says. “Unauthorized access is strictly prohibited both administratively and under state and federal law.”
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