License plate reading systems used by Sacramento sheriffs and police violated state law

(FOX40.COM) — License plate camera reader systems operated by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office and the Sacramento Police Department did not fully comply with state law regarding motorist privacy and only one agency began full compliance after being notified during an investigation, according to the Sacramento County Grand Jury.

The Grand Jury released its findings and a press release Wednesday detailing how its investigation focused on the two systems' cameras, known as automated license plate readers, which are set up to take photos of every vehicle that pass in order to help possibly find vehicles or people. linked to crimes.
•Video above: Privacy concerns with license plate readers (as of September 2022)

These systems are used around the world, but there are concerns that the data collected includes that of people who are not associated with any crime, and there are also concerns about how this data is shared with other people. other agencies.

The Grand Jury investigation found that the collected information was shared with other law enforcement agencies, which is a violation of California law, and that users of the sheriff's office system been able to find information that is not linked to a specific case.

The 2015 law, SB 34, created rules for agencies that use ALPR systems, including prohibiting the sharing of data with out-of-state law enforcement, including the federal government.

“The Grand Jury was surprised to learn that the Sheriff's Office and Sacramento
“The Police Department violated SB 34,” Steve Caruso, grand jury foreperson, said in a statement. “However, after meeting with the Sheriff's Office during our investigation, they decided to stop sharing ALPR data with out-of-state law enforcement. »

Caruso noted that the Sacramento Police Department continues to share data with agencies in Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona.

The Grand Jury also said the sheriff's office discovered a flaw in its system that allowed users to obtain data by entering random characters that were not tied to a specific case number.

Five recommendations were made by the Grand Jury regarding the use of ALPR systems:
• The Sheriff's Office should update and post online its policies on how it will no longer share data with out-of-state agencies.
• Police must comply with the requirements of SB 34 no later than January 1, 2025.
• County law enforcement using ALPR systems “should require sufficient, verifiable information that will enable complete and accurate audits”
• The Sheriff's Office should administer quarterly audits of ALPR data requests to include user searches and contract with an external entity to conduct annual audits, all of which should be posted online.
• All Sacramento agencies must ensure their ALPR policies are posted online by January 1, 2025.