U.S. towns tighten license plate reader controls amid misuse allegations

Law enforcement agencies in the United States are facing increased scrutiny over the use of automated license plate readers (ALPR) following incidents of data misuse. In Stow, Massachusetts, the town has dismantled its Flock license plate reader program after an investigation revealed that a police officer, Jason Rogers, used law enforcement databases to track his former girlfriend. Rogers, a detective and acting sergeant, faces potential criminal charges and termination proceedings after investigators found multiple instances where he accessed sensitive information without a legitimate law enforcement purpose.

In Queen Creek, Arizona, local officials are considering new restrictions on ALPR technology. While the Queen Creek Police Department reported no misuse of its current system, the town is evaluating a proposal to strengthen safeguards. These measures include restricting access to and sharing of ALPR information and potentially making the misuse of the technology a misdemeanor. The town is also reviewing available technologies, including testing cameras from Axon, as communities across the region reconsider their contracts with Flock Safety amid allegations of improper use by officers in other jurisdictions.