Wheaton police to begin using automated license plate readers

Wheaton police soon will begin using automated license plate readers as a tool to help identify vehicles driven by people suspected of criminal activity and locate vehicles associated with missing persons, Amber Alerts or individuals in crisis, while protecting the privacy and rights of all people, according to a news release.

ALPRs are high-resolution cameras that take a picture of the back of vehicles as they pass through the field of view. The image captures the vehicle make and color, license plate and time the vehicle passed by the camera. It does not capture information about the occupants, track people, measure vehicle speed or enforce traffic/parking violations. The cameras are not capable of recording video or facial recognition and the technology is not connected to personal identifying information.

Why are police using ALPRs

Seventy percent of all crimes committed involve an automobile. License plate numbers give law enforcement objective, actionable leads needed to solve and prevent crimes. ALPRs will be used as a resource for a retroactive search to help solve crimes after they have occurred. They also will be used to help locate individuals in emergency situations, such as finding vehicles associated with missing and endangered persons.

Data Security, Protecting Privacy

The city of Wheaton owns the images associated with ALPRs and the data is fully encrypted. None of the data collected by the ALPRs will be sold or shared to any third-party entities outside of law enforcement or with federal immigration agencies. All data collected will be deleted after 30 days if the registration is not part of an active investigation.

Wheaton police have a strict department order outlining officers’ retrieval of data from the system and its subsequent application. All data retrieval activity is recorded and can be internally audited.

ALPRs will serve as another tool supporting the city council’s Community Safety Strategic Priority, leveraging technology to prioritize the safety and welfare of the community.