REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Informational Report Regarding the Santa Clara Police Department's Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Policy, Compliance Review, and Program Operations
Report
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This informational report provides an overview of the Santa Clara Police Department's (Department) Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program, including its operational use, legal and policy framework, and oversight practices. ALPR technology supports criminal investigations by helping officers identify vehicles associated with crimes, locate stolen vehicles, and develop investigative leads. The report also summarizes the Department's review of system configuration and audit logs and confirms that the current program operates in compliance with California law and Department policy.
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clara Police Department has used Automated License Reader (ALPR) technology for approximately 18 years as an investigative tool to assist officers in locating stolen vehicles, identifying vehicles associated with criminal investigations, locating missing persons, and supporting public safety operations.
In 2008, ALPR technology from PIPS Technology was mounted on four patrol vehicles. These mobile systems allowed officers to automatically scan license plates during routine patrol operations and compare captured plates against databases of stolen vehicles, warrant suspects, vehicles of interest, and missing persons. These real-time alerts changed policing; however, only a small fraction of the Department's fleet was equipped with this technology, limiting the number of plates scanned.
Effective January 1, 2016, California Senate Bill 34 (SB 34), codified in California Civil Code ??1798.90.5-1798.90.55, established requirements governing the use of ALPR systems by law enforcement agencies. The law requires agencies to adopt and publicly post an ALPR usage and privacy policy, implement safeguards governing data access and sharing, and provide a priva...
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