Are Police Car Cameras Scanning Your License Plate? Understanding ALPRs and Privacy Concerns

Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) have become an increasingly common tool in law enforcement. Mounted on police cars or fixed in strategic locations, these cameras are designed to automatically scan the license plates of vehicles that pass by. But what exactly are these devices, and what are the implications for your privacy when Police Cars Cameras Scan License Plates?

What Are Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs)?

Automatic license plate readers are sophisticated surveillance systems that utilize specialized digital cameras and computer software to capture and process license plate information rapidly. These systems are deployed in two primary ways: mounted on police vehicles for mobile operation, or fixed at locations like traffic lights, highway overpasses, and even roadside poles. When police cars cameras scan license plate, the system automatically captures several key pieces of data: the license plate number itself, along with the date, time, and geographical location of the vehicle.

The technology works by converting the captured images of license plates into text, which is then instantly compared against extensive databases known as “hot lists.” These hot lists contain license plate numbers associated with various categories of interest to law enforcement, such as stolen vehicles, wanted individuals, or vehicles linked to outstanding warrants. If a scanned license plate matches a plate on the hot list, the system immediately alerts law enforcement personnel. This allows for swift identification of potential violations or vehicles of interest.

The Privacy Implications: Why License Plate Scanning by Police Raises Concerns

The core privacy concern surrounding police cars cameras scan license plate technology lies in the indiscriminate nature of data collection. ALPR systems are not just triggered by vehicles suspected of wrongdoing; they record every license plate that comes into their view. This means that vast amounts of data are collected on law-abiding citizens, regardless of whether they are suspected of any crime.

As highlighted by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the sheer volume of data collection is only limited by the number of vehicles passing within range of these cameras. To illustrate, the Rhinebeck Police Department reported scanning over 164,000 license plates in just three months, with a staggering 99.99 percent of those plates belonging to vehicles not on any “hot list.” This massive collection of data on innocent individuals raises significant privacy red flags.

The ability to track the movements of individuals through license plate data creates detailed records of where people have been and when. This location data can reveal sensitive information about a person’s habits, associations, and even beliefs. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has acknowledged these concerns, warning that mobile ALPR units could inadvertently collect data from vehicles parked at sensitive locations such as addiction counseling meetings, medical facilities, or political gatherings. This kind of pervasive surveillance can have a “chilling effect” on fundamental rights, discouraging citizens from freely participating in social and political activities.

Furthermore, the long-term storage and potential sharing of this data amplify privacy risks. Local governments and law enforcement agencies can accumulate massive databases detailing the movements of individuals over extended periods. This data can be shared with other entities, potentially creating a comprehensive government database of citizens’ comings and goings, including insights into their personal lives, political affiliations, and daily routines.

Consider the example of the City of Beacon Police Department, where a review of just one week’s worth of ALPR data for a single vehicle revealed 24 separate location captures. By simply using readily available tools like Google Maps, it’s possible to reconstruct a detailed picture of that vehicle’s movements, including where it was parked overnight and likely where the driver spent their time.

This example, though based on limited data, demonstrates the potential for ALPRs to paint an intimate portrait of an individual’s life, even when they have done nothing wrong. With more extensive data collection across numerous cameras and longer timeframes, coupled with advanced analytical tools, the level of detail that can be gleaned from police cars cameras scan license plate data becomes even more concerning.

Who Uses Police Car License Plate Readers and Who Has Access to the Data?

Automatic license plate readers are widely deployed across New York State and the United States. As of 2013, the Division of Criminal Justice Services had funded over 400 ALPR systems throughout New York State, ensuring that every county had access to this technology. Beyond state funding, agencies like the New York State Police and the Department of Motor Vehicles also operate their own ALPR systems.

The reach of ALPR technology extends even to smaller municipalities. Villages like Oxford, Rhinebeck, and Gowanda in New York, with populations ranging from under a thousand to a few thousand residents, utilize these systems. In major urban centers like New York City, the NYPD operates nearly 500 ALPRs as part of its Domain Awareness System, a centralized network integrating surveillance cameras, license plate readers, and other detection technologies.

Access to the data collected by police cars cameras scan license plate systems is often broader than just the agency operating the cameras. Data sharing initiatives are common, with various law enforcement agencies collaborating to pool information. Examples include the Westchester Intelligence Center and the Albany Crime Analysis Center, which facilitate data sharing among federal, state, and local agencies in their respective regions.

Furthermore, partnerships with private companies are expanding the reach and capabilities of ALPR systems. Companies like Vigilant Solutions maintain massive nationwide databases of license plate data, compiled from both private and law enforcement sources. Vigilant Solutions’ database reportedly contains billions of records and grows by millions more data points each month, creating an incredibly detailed picture of vehicle movements across the country. Agencies like the NYPD have sought contracts to access these private databases, further enhancing their surveillance capabilities. This access allows law enforcement to track vehicle locations across a wider geographic area, monitor vehicle movements in real-time or historically, and even identify vehicles that frequently appear in close proximity to one another.

Lack of Regulation and Policies for Police License Plate Camera Use

Despite the significant privacy implications, the use of police cars cameras scan license plate technology often lacks clear and consistent regulation. In the absence of statewide or federal rules, policies and procedures governing ALPR use vary widely from locality to locality.

Many jurisdictions have not implemented adequate safeguards to protect the privacy of the location data collected. For instance, Westchester County, with a high concentration of ALPR systems outside of New York City, was found to have no written policy regarding ALPR use, data storage, access, or sharing. Data retention practices also vary, with some agencies like Yonkers admitting to indefinitely storing all collected ALPR data.

The absence of robust privacy protections and clear policies raises serious concerns. To mitigate the chilling effect of this technology and maintain public trust, it is crucial for local governments and law enforcement agencies to adopt comprehensive policies that address the collection, use, sharing, and retention of data from police cars cameras scan license plate systems. These policies should prioritize transparency, accountability, and the protection of individuals’ privacy rights while still allowing for the legitimate use of ALPR technology in law enforcement.

For further information on the broader use of license plate readers across the United States, refer to the ACLU report “You Are Being Tracked: How License Plate Readers Are Being Used to Record Americans’ Movements.

References

1. New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, License Plate Reader Suggested Guidelines, Jan. 2011, p. 6.
2. Id.
3. Id.
4. Id. at p.7.
5. Id. at p.6.
6. Rhinebeck Police Department FOIL Response: Quarterly License Plate Reader Progress Report Apr.-Jun 2011.
7. International Association of Chiefs of Police, Privacy Impact Assessment Report for Utilization of License Plate Readers (Sept. 2009), p. 2.
8. Id. at p.13.
9. New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) FOIL Response (Aug. 27, 2013).
10. 2010 Census of Population and Housing.
11. Testimony of Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism John J. Miller, NYPD, Nov. 12, 2014.
12. Ardsley Village FOIL Response; Bedford Town FOIL Response.
13. Colonie PD FOIL Response.
14. Vigilant Solutions Scope of Work.
15. DCJS FOIL Response.
16. Westchester County Department of Public Safety FOIL Response.
17. Id.
18. City of Yonkers FOIL Response.
19. Id.