License Plate Readers: How to Check if Your Plate Has Been Searched
Curious if your license plate has been searched by law enforcement using automated license plate readers? A new tool helps you find out.
Drivers often wonder how their vehicle data is used by law enforcement. Now, a new tool offers a way to see if your license plate has been searched within the Flock Safety network. This comes amid reports of misuse by some police personnel.
According to reporting by Salisbury Daily Times, automated license plate readers (ALPRs) collect not just plate numbers, but also details like vehicle color, dents, and bumper stickers. This information creates a searchable database for law enforcement agencies.
What are automated license plate readers and how are they used?
ALPRs are cameras designed to capture vehicle information. Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based company, is a major provider of these systems. Their cameras are used by police departments to aid in investigations.
These systems allow police to search for specific vehicles based on various identifying features. This can be helpful in tracking down vehicles connected to a crime.
Have there been issues with ALPR data access?
Recent investigations have highlighted concerns about how some law enforcement personnel have accessed ALPR data. Over the past two months, at least 19 police and sheriff’s office employees across five states faced consequences for using Flock Safety's network improperly.
These actions included arrests, firings, administrative leave, or ongoing investigations. The improper uses involved tracking vehicle locations for reasons unrelated to official duties.
How can drivers check if their license plate has been searched?
USA Today has developed a tool that allows individuals to check if their license plate has been searched by law enforcement using Flock Safety's system. This tool can be found on the USA Today website.
By using this tool, drivers can gain insight into whether their vehicle's information has been accessed. This provides a direct way for you to monitor how your data is being used. You can also learn more about how these cameras operate and where they are located on our /learn page.
For those interested in understanding the presence of these cameras, our live camera map at /map offers a visual representation of known ALPR locations.