Philadelphia City Council recently passed a resolution advocating for Pennsylvania to either regulate or ban automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). This move comes as privacy concerns around the technology continue to grow, as CBS News Philadelphia reported.
The resolution specifically targets ALPRs, including those from Flock Safety, due to their ability to track vehicles and store license plate data. This action by the City Council is a direct response to reports of misuse by law enforcement, where officers allegedly used the database to monitor individuals not involved in criminal activity.
What does this mean for drivers in Philadelphia?
The City Council's resolution doesn't immediately change how ALPRs operate on Philadelphia streets. The resolution is a call to action for the state legislature, meaning any direct impact on drivers would depend on future state laws.
For now, drivers in Philadelphia should be aware that ALPRs are present. The Philadelphia Police Department has stated it does not use Flock Safety cameras but operates:
- 137 license plate readers across the city.
- ALPR technology on some of its vehicles.
Pennsylvania State Police did not confirm if they use other types of license plate readers, though they stated they do not operate Flock cameras.
Councilwoman Rue Landau, who introduced the resolution, emphasized the need for regulation. She stated, "We are very quickly giving up our civil liberties under this theory of safety, but we are watching that it's not making us safe. It's actually surveilling us."
What are the arguments for and against ALPRs?
The debate over ALPRs involves both public safety and privacy considerations. Supporters argue the cameras are a valuable tool for law enforcement. During the public comment period before the Council's vote, one individual noted, "The cameras are a tool that our law enforcement can use to catch people that are stealing cars."
Conversely, privacy advocates highlight the extensive surveillance capabilities of these systems. Another speaker at the Council meeting pointed out the pervasive nature of the tracking, saying, "Your journey today from your home to this hall has been painstakingly documented without your permission, and there is nothing that you can do about it."
Flock Safety, in response to the criticism, stated that a "blanket ban would take a proven investigative tool away from communities and officers who rely on it." The company also indicated support for bipartisan legislation to regulate the use of their cameras.
Drivers can learn more about how ALPRs work and their implications on our /learn page. While the Philadelphia City Council's resolution is a significant step, the future of ALPR regulation in Pennsylvania now rests with state lawmakers. Drivers in the state should continue to monitor legislative developments that could impact their privacy on the road.