The Austin Police Department’s Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program is facing fresh scrutiny as new data reveals significant concerns regarding search practices by officers.
According to information shared by APD Assistant Chief Sheldon “Scott” Askew, more than 20% of license plate searches conducted during the second quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 lacked proper documentation or a clearly justified reason.
This alarming trend continued with quarterly figures showing that in Q3 and Q4 of 2024, 11% and 16% of searches similarly did not include a case number or a valid explanation, as mandated by the resolution passed by the City Council three years prior to re-authorize the ALPR program.
The program, which utilizes hundreds of fixed and mobile cameras to capture images of vehicle license plates for a period of seven days, was intended to assist law enforcement in investigations of serious crimes and vehicle thefts.
However, opponents are voicing strong concerns about potential privacy violations, viewing the ALPR system as a form of mass surveillance that could be exploited by federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
A report recently published by 404 Media highlighted how ICE has accessed ALPR data within various jurisdictions to facilitate deportations, raising fears among local community members.
In 2020, the City Council had initially prohibited the use of the technology due to similar concerns but opted to renew the program through a pilot phase in 2023, adding specific safeguards aimed at preserving residents’ privacy and restricting the usage of ALPRs to investigations of serious crimes.
According to APD officials, the ALPR system is an essential tool that enables officers to swiftly identify vehicles connected to criminal activities.
Despite this, the findings regarding search practices have garnered significant attention, particularly as the Council considers whether to renew the program.
The Office of the City Auditor conducted an independent review of the ALPR initiative, which concluded at the end of the pilot period but omitted details about the apparent violations of policy regarding searches.
This oversight raises concerns over the transparency of the program and the trustworthiness of its data management.
Within an email sent to City Council aides, Askew acknowledged the need for increased transparency regarding the ALPR system’s usage.
In response to the identified issues, the department is reportedly collaborating with Flock, the vendor managing the ALPR database, to implement a system upgrade.
This upgrade would require officers to input a case number and justification every time they conduct a search, addressing the lack of documentation that has been previously noted.
Although Askew pointed out that numerous officers have been inputting case numbers voluntarily, these searches should inherently comply with departmental policy.
Meanwhile, the audit revealed problematic language in the contractual agreement with Flock, indicating that the vendor could retain license plate data beyond the city-mandated retention period and potentially share it with external entities.
APD was aware of this clause at the time of contract signing but deemed it acceptable in their discussions with the city’s Law Department.
The alarming revelations about the ALPR program’s usage and governance have raised significant questions among City Council members.
Council Member Mike Siegel conveyed his concerns in a recent message, highlighting that despite the strong guardrails established for the ALPR program, the current climate fueled by federal immigration measures creates uncertainty regarding the protection of citizens’ rights.
As negotiations regarding the renewal of the program proceeded, several community advocates expressed their fears about the potential misuse of the ALPR technology, particularly regarding its implications for immigrant communities.
Participants at the June 3 work session voiced concerns about how the ALPR system might facilitate local law enforcement’s cooperation with ICE, thus increasing the risk of deportations.
As these discussions unfolded, City Council prepares to vote on Thursday, June 5, regarding the future of the ALPR program amidst a backdrop of heightened scrutiny and public anxiety.
As law enforcement agencies navigate the balance between technological advancements in crime prevention and community privacy rights, the outcome of the Council vote may significantly impact the future usage of the ALPR system in Austin.
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