Looking into ALPR

Written By Watchdog Admin

Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) are increasingly being used by law enforcement agencies across the United States. Yakima is no exception, and the use of ALPRs has raised concerns among some residents.

What are ALPRs?

ALPRs are cameras that can automatically capture and read the license plates of vehicles. The data collected by ALPRs can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

  • Solving crimes: Law enforcement agencies can use ALPR data to track down stolen vehicles and suspects.

  • Issuing parking tickets: ALPRs can be used to scan parked cars for expired meters or parking violations.

  • Monitoring traffic: ALPR data can be used to track the flow of traffic and identify congested areas.

Concerns about ALPRs

Some residents of Yakima are concerned about the use of ALPRs. Some of the concerns include:

  • Privacy: ALPRs collect data on the location and movements of vehicles. This data could be used to track individuals without their knowledge or consent.

  • Bias: ALPRs may disproportionately target minority communities. This is because ALPRs are more likely to be used in areas with higher crime rates, which are often minority communities.

  • Accuracy: ALPRs are not always accurate. This could lead to innocent people being wrongly accused of crimes.

Researching the use of ALPRs in Yakima

There is a growing body of research on the use of ALPRs. Some of the key findings include:

  • ALPRs can be effective in solving crimes. A study by the National Institute of Justice found that ALPRs were used to solve 3.5% of all property crimes in the United States in 2017.

  • ALPRs can be used to track the movements of vehicles. A study by the ACLU found that ALPR data was used to track the movements of vehicles in New York City for up to two years.

  • ALPRs can be used to target minority communities. A study by the Brennan Center for Justice found that ALPRs were more likely to be used in areas with higher concentrations of Black and Hispanic residents.

What does this mean for Yakima?

The research on ALPRs raises important questions about the use of this technology in Yakima. It is important to have a public conversation about the benefits and risks of ALPRs before they are widely deployed.

Here are some questions to consider:

  • How will ALPRs be used in Yakima?

  • What safeguards will be in place to protect privacy?

  • How will data be collected and stored?

  • Who will have access to the data?

  • How will ALPRs be used to target specific communities?

It is important to have answers to these questions before ALPRs are used in Yakima. By having a public conversation about the use of ALPRs, we can ensure that this technology is used responsibly and ethically.

Additional resources:

  • The Electronic Frontier Foundation: https://www.eff.org/cases/automated-license-plate-readers

  • The American Civil Liberties Union: https://www.aclu.org/issues/privacy-technology/location-tracking/automatic-license-plate-readers

  • The Brennan Center for Justice: https://www.cnet.com/home/security/police-will-get-ai-powered-license-plate-readers-but-ethical-concerns-remain/

Watchdog Admin