Ramapo Police halt advanced license plate reader test over privacy concerns

The Ramapo Police Department has halted a planned test of advanced automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology due to privacy concerns. Police Chief Daniel Hyman stated that while existing fixed cameras assist in identifying stolen vehicles, the newer systems offer advanced investigative analytics and vehicle-identification capabilities that require deeper consideration regarding constitutional protections.

In a related development regarding surveillance technology in New Jersey, reports indicate that certain license plate reader systems are capable of detecting wireless signals from nearby devices, including mobile phones. This capability could potentially allow law enforcement to link specific mobile devices to particular vehicles by tracking signal proximity.