Austin TX PD

Vehicle make, model, and license plate number of a vehicle

Facial recognition, images of vehicle drivers, gender, race

- Use of license plate readers assist police departments across the country by increasing their investigative efficacy while reducing unnecessary delays in pursuing leads; and camera data helps solve crimes when crimes occur; and license plate readers previously helped the Austin Police Department locate stolen or wanted vehicles, vehicles connected to AMBER Alerts, Silver Alerts, missing person reports, abduction reports, and vehicles connected to other crimes; and the use of license plate readers bolsters the capability of local law enforcement to act and apprehend criminals swiftly, leading to the deterrence of crimes; and license plate readers can notify Austin Police Department officers within seconds that a license plate has passed within the device's range, allowing Austin Police Department officers to take immediate action in furtherance of public safety. - Data is used for law enforcement purposes only. Data is owned by The Austin Police Department and is never sold to 3rd parties. - The Austin Police Department's General Orders include rules on the Security and Release of Records and Information, General Conduct and Responsibilities, Racial or Biased Profiling, Responsibility to the Community, and other orders to ensure officers keep private or confidential information secure, know and comply with laws, do not engage in racial or biased profiling, perform their services in an impartial and equitable manner, and provide equal and fair protection of all rights under local, state, and federal law for all members of the community.

- No person will be the subject of police action because of actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, marital status, partnership status, political affiliation or beliefs, and, to the extent permitted by law, alienage or citizenship status. - The license plate reader data collected by the Austin Police Department will not be used for the purpose of investigations related to immigration status or access to reproductive health services to the extent legally possible. - The license plate reader data collected by the Austin Police Department will not be used for the purpose of collecting traffic fines, Class C misdemeanors, warrant roundups, or any other similar purpose of generating revenue or collecting money owed by the public. APD will not use license plate reader data for the purpose of conducting its own criminal investigations related to immigration status or access to reproductive health services. - Unless there is a criminal nexus, officers will not use, retain, or transmit license plate reader data for the purpose of investigating persons who are exercising their First Amendment rights, including freedom of speech, assembly, association, and exercise of religion, such as attending political rallies, organizational meetings, public demonstrations, and religious gatherings. - Surveillance, traffic enforcement.

- Annual training of all Austin Police Department personnel will be conducted on the policies and restrictions concerning license plate reader camera use and data, including how to properly respond to requests for data from other law enforcement agencies. No APD Personnel are permitted to participate in the license plate reader program or access, view, or use any license plate reader program or access, view, or use any license plate reader data until such training has been successfully completed, and continued participation and access is contingent upon successful completion of such training each calendar year. - All system access requires a valid reason and is stored indefinitely.

- Flock Safety's Hotlist feature provides the ability to receive alerts on stolen vehicles, known wanted criminals, and more. It works via an integration into the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) which is updated daily. - The Austin Police Department may also place at-risk vehicles or license plates on custom Hotlists to alert law enforcement instantly if/when the vehicle or plate is detected.

- Vehicles on the hotlist must be limited to: A. Vehicles that have been reported as stolen; B. Vehicles registered to an individual for whom there is an outstanding felony or Class A misdemeanor warrant; C. Vehicles associated with missing or endangered persons; D. Vehicles where the vehicles or individuals associated with the license plate numbers are relevant and material to an active, ongoing criminal investigation of felonies, Class A misdemeanors, and/or hate crimes. - A license plate reader alert alone does not create reasonable suspicion to justify a traffic stop or the detention of an individual. Before making a stop or detention, the officer must: 1. Make a visual confirmation that the license plate matches the information captured by the license plate reader and reported in the last alert; and 2. Confirm the license plate information matches information in the hot list.

7 days

40

NCIC, NCMEC Amber Alert

566,361

1,606

1,280