Drivers in Nassau County encounter a license plate reader (ALPR) camera approximately every 9.5 miles, according to independent data reported by the New York Post. This density positions Nassau County among the top 3% of counties nationwide for surveillance camera presence.
What does this mean for Nassau County drivers?
The data indicates over 330 ALPR cameras are publicly mapped across Nassau County's 3,200 miles of road. This translates to roughly 105 cameras for every 1,000 miles, or one camera every 9.5 miles. For drivers, this means a significant portion of their daily routes may be recorded by these cameras. Our interactive map allows you to see where these cameras are located.
ALPRs, like those from Flock Safety, capture images of passing vehicles, recording license plates and other distinct features such as dents or bumper stickers. This information is then stored and made searchable to law enforcement agencies. This system allows police to track vehicle movements, raising questions about privacy for everyday drivers.
How does Nassau compare to neighboring areas?
Neighboring Suffolk County has a lower density of ALPRs, with a camera approximately every 33 miles across its 7,100 miles of road. This places Suffolk County within the top 500 counties nationally for camera density. However, not all cameras in Suffolk County may be publicly mapped, suggesting the actual number could be higher.
Nassau County formalized its use of ALPRs with a $1 million deal with Flock Safety in November 2025. This agreement secured an unspecified number of cameras. In contrast, Suffolk County recently delayed a $4 million deal for Flock Safety's "Raven" listening system but continues to explore options for more county-owned cameras.
Law enforcement in Long Island utilized the ALPR database for almost 3,000 manual searches in June alone. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has publicly stated that ALPRs are "an important tool in law enforcement" and that strict guidelines are in place to prevent misuse. Despite these assurances, more than 60 police officers nationwide have been arrested for misusing ALPR data. This includes 18 arrests in Georgia during summer 2026, with one police supervisor using the system to track a personal acquaintance.
Drivers concerned about the proliferation of these cameras can learn more about how they work on our /learn page.