ALACHUA – Nine automated license plate reader cameras in Alachua are slated for removal following a Florida Department of Transportation directive, while other cameras in the city will remain in operation as police continue to monitor legal and legislative developments surrounding the technology.
Alachua Police Chief Jesse Sandusky addressed the issue in a statement acknowledging growing local and national debate over license plate recognition technology, including concerns about privacy, access to collected information and potential Fourth Amendment implications.
“The use of this technology has raised important questions among members of the public regarding privacy, access to information, appropriate law enforcement use and potential Fourth Amendment implications,” Sandusky said. “These are legitimate concerns that we take seriously.”
According to Sandusky, APD recently received notification that FDOT was revoking active permits for automated license plate recognition systems located within state transportation rights-of-way and requiring affected equipment to be removed within 30 days.
Nine cameras within APD’s jurisdiction fall under the FDOT directive. The department notified the vendor, which has indicated it intends to comply with the removal requirement.
The action will not eliminate license plate readers from Alachua. Cameras that do not fall under the FDOT permit criteria will remain in service, Sandusky said.
The chief said APD will continue monitoring court cases, legislative developments and state and federal guidance concerning the technology.
“It is important to remember that as of now, the courts have stated that the use of LPR does not violate 4th Amendment protections,” Sandusky said. “If and when those standards evolve, we will evaluate our practices and make the necessary adjustments to remain consistent with the law and our responsibility to protect the rights of the people we serve.”
Automated license plate readers use cameras and software to capture license plate information from passing vehicles. Law enforcement agencies can use the information to identify vehicles associated with criminal investigations, stolen vehicles or missing and endangered people.
Sandusky defended the technology as an investigative and public safety tool while emphasizing that its usefulness does not eliminate the need for controls over how information is accessed and used.
According to the chief, APD has used license plate reader information to help identify and apprehend suspects in serious crimes, locate missing and endangered people and juveniles, recover stolen vehicles and remove stolen firearms from the community.
“The effectiveness of any law enforcement technology, however, does not lessen our responsibility to ensure that it is used appropriately, lawfully and with respect for the constitutional rights of the people we serve,” Sandusky said.
Police officers routinely have access to restricted databases and investigative information unavailable to the general public, Sandusky noted, placing responsibility on agencies and individual officers to ensure those systems are used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
APD has policies governing access to sensitive law enforcement information, including license plate reader data. Allegations of improper access or misuse are subject to review and investigation, according to the chief, and violations of law, department policy or procedure can result in action against an employee.
Sandusky also said the department will conduct a review of its existing policies to determine whether additional internal safeguards should be adopted.
The announcement comes amid broader scrutiny in Florida over the placement and use of automated license plate readers and the amount of information the systems can collect about motorists’ movements.
For Alachua, the immediate effect will be the removal of the nine cameras covered by FDOT’s directive, rather than abandonment of the technology altogether.
Sandusky said the department views privacy and public safety as responsibilities that must be addressed together.
“We do not believe that public safety and individual privacy have to be competing principles,” Sandusky said. “Our responsibility is to pursue both.”
He said APD will continue seeking a balance that permits officers to use technology to solve crimes and locate vulnerable people while protecting the privacy and constitutional rights of residents.
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