Virginia Mercury reported that 17 Virginia localities using automatic license plate readers are reconsidering or scaling back plate reader use, vendor relationships, or camera installations. The finding comes from a new report built on a statewide survey of law enforcement agencies.
Nearly all of Virginia's law enforcement agencies with plate readers responded to the survey, up from 70% last year. The responses still give a limited picture. Commission staff could not determine whether agencies fully comply with every provision of state law.
What did the report find?
Fewer agencies reported problems than last year:
- Agencies with no policy fell from 26 to six.
- Agencies with data retention periods over 21 days fell from 33 to seven.
- Fewer agencies reported continuously sharing data with other state law-enforcement agencies, down from 20 to four.
Staff said only two criminal charges have been filed for unauthorized use, despite approximately 20 reported incidents. Commission members asked why the other incidents had not led to charges.
Speakers at Thursday's commission meeting argued there may still be some noncompliance. Duane Barron of Justice Forward said the report does not assess whether the readers make Virginia safer.
What changes for drivers?
The report is a survey and a set of policy discussions. The source does not describe any camera being turned off, removed or banned because of it.
If you want to see where cameras are mapped near you, check the camera map. To learn how these systems work, read how plate readers work.
What happens next?
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell proposed decertifying officers who violate plate reader policy. Other members proposed limiting access to designated or certified personnel. House Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring said members could consider those ideas at the next meeting on Tuesday, and the agenda has not been set.
Lawmakers return to Richmond in January. Del. Jackie Glass carried two bills last session that would have set statewide oversight, operating standards and training requirements. Those bills were continued to January. As of Friday afternoon, no related legislation had been filed.