The Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) in Oregon has released details on its use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), including how the technology is governed by state law and departmental policy. The information, published on the Jackson County government website on October 5, 2026, explains the purpose, oversight, and accountability measures for ALPR use.
JCSO states it uses ALPRs to investigate crimes, locate missing people, recover stolen vehicles, and develop investigative leads. The agency specifies that ALPRs are not used for random surveillance or to track individuals without a legitimate law-enforcement purpose. The system captures license plates and basic vehicle characteristics visible in public spaces. It does not identify drivers or passengers and is not a facial-recognition system.
What are the rules for ALPR data in Jackson County?
Oregon Senate Bill 1516 governs how law enforcement agencies in the state can use, retain, and share ALPR data. JCSO's policies align with this bill, ensuring data not linked to an ALPR 'hit' is kept for no more than 30 days. If data is connected to an active criminal investigation or court proceeding, it can be retained longer. Access to ALPR data is logged and limited to authorized personnel using the information for authorized purposes.
Key aspects of JCSO's ALPR data handling:
- Data Retention: No more than 30 days unless tied to an active investigation or court proceeding.
- Access: Limited to authorized personnel for public-safety and law-enforcement purposes.
- Ownership: Captured ALPR data is the property of the law enforcement agency, not the vendor.
- Sharing: Must comply with departmental policy and applicable law.
Drivers should know that Oregon law prohibits police from using local resources for federal immigration enforcement. SB 1516 reinforces this by limiting ALPR use to situations allowed under Oregon's sanctuary statutes, meaning ALPR data cannot be used for immigration purposes.
What does this mean for drivers?
For drivers in Jackson County, this means that while ALPRs are in use, their data is subject to specific regulations. The JCSO emphasizes that ALPR alerts alone are not sufficient for a vehicle stop; officers must confirm a vehicle and plate match before taking enforcement action. The cameras used by JCSO are Flock Safety ALPRs, which take still images of vehicles and license plates and collect limited metadata like date, time, and location. These cameras do not record audio.
If you're concerned about where ALPRs might be located, you can explore our live camera map to see known camera locations. Understanding how ALPRs work and the rules governing their use can help you navigate your privacy in areas with surveillance technology. For more background on ALPRs, visit our [/learn] page.
Tampering with an ALPR camera is a criminal offense under Oregon law, potentially leading to charges like criminal mischief or interference with public-safety equipment.