Axon expands automated license plate reader use in Baltimore and New Mexico

Law enforcement agencies in the United States are expanding their use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology through partnerships with Axon Enterprise.

The Baltimore Police Department has acquired more than 200 Axon license plate cameras as part of a 10-year, $153 million contract. This deal includes Axon Outpost fixed units and Axon Fleet mobile units. While the purchase was part of a larger bundle of public safety equipment, experts have raised concerns regarding the potential for increased privacy risks.

In New Mexico, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is also expanding its relationship with Axon after ending its partnership with Flock Safety. The sheriff’s office stated that Axon provides better control over data retention and sharing, noting that information is not automatically pooled into a national database. The agency aims to implement the expanded system by the end of 2026, citing the need for safeguards and oversight in how surveillance data is accessed and reviewed.