South Dakota Considers Statewide ALPR Regulations Amid Local Pullbacks

South Dakota's Attorney General is drafting legislation to regulate automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), a move that would make the state one of the few with such laws. This development follows local law enforcement agencies in Codington County temporarily removing their ALPR cameras and Aberdeen's City Council deciding against their use after public outcry. South Dakota News Watch reported on the proposed legislation and local actions.

Attorney General Marty Jackley indicated the legislation would aim to prevent misuse and establish safeguards for ALPR data. This could impact how drivers' information is collected and stored across the state.

What are ALPRs and how do they affect me?

ALPRs are cameras that capture vehicle information, including license plates, make, model, and sometimes even specific features like bumper stickers. While law enforcement has used this technology for decades, advancements in AI and camera quality have made them more widespread. Flock Safety, a prominent provider, uses a national database that allows information sharing between jurisdictions and across state lines. This sharing capability is a key concern for privacy advocates.

For drivers, this means your vehicle's movements could be recorded and shared, even if you are not suspected of a crime. Organizations like DeFlock Dakota argue this practice infringes on Fourth Amendment rights, stating ALPRs "track every driver, everywhere they go, without suspicion of any crime."

Where are ALPRs currently used in South Dakota?

ALPRs are present in several South Dakota communities, but their use is not uniform.

• Madison: The city police department deployed Flock cameras in 2022 and now operates 29 cameras.
• Sioux Falls: The police department installed 34 Flock cameras starting in June 2025, with a $168,000 contract formalized in January 2025. The department's transparency portal shows 550,146 unique license plates detected and 464 searches in the past 30 days.
• Rapid City: The city's police department uses four Axon cameras.
• Codington County: All Flock cameras were temporarily removed due to vandalism following an August 25 commission meeting.
• Aberdeen: The City Council decided not to proceed with discussions about Flock cameras after significant public feedback.

Cities like Sioux Falls and Madison have policies limiting data retention to 30 days. Sioux Falls also prohibits using ALPR data for immigration enforcement, harassment, or personal use.

What would a new state law change for drivers?

The proposed state legislation could establish consistent rules for ALPR use across South Dakota. This would be a significant change for drivers, as current policies vary by jurisdiction. Attorney General Jackley highlighted several components under consideration:

• Data retention policies: How long information gathered by ALPRs can be stored.
• Access questions: Who can access the collected data.
• Transparency: How the public can understand how the system is being used.

Codington County Sheriff Brad Howell stated his office would await the 2027 legislative session before making decisions about the county's Flock cameras. The Attorney General aims to implement safeguards to prevent potential abuses, citing cases in other states where officers allegedly misused ALPR data. This legislation could standardize how your travel data is managed and accessed throughout South Dakota. To see where ALPRs are currently reported, check our live camera map at /map.

The state's attorney general and law enforcement officials are discussing the specifics of the bill. This means drivers in South Dakota can expect clearer, more uniform rules around ALPR use in the coming legislative session.