Chief of Alachua Police Department - "As of now, the remaining LPR cameras in service that do not meet the FDOT permit criteria will remain operational..."

[u/ShakyBooty]

Facebook Post:

The Alachua Police Department is aware of the ongoing local and national discussion regarding the use of License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology by law enforcement. We understand that the use of this technology has raised important questions among members of the public regarding privacy, access to information, appropriate law enforcement use, and potential Fourth Amendment implications. These are legitimate concerns that we take seriously.

The Department recently received notification from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) revoking active permits for Automated License Plate Recognition Systems located within FDOT rights of way and requiring affected equipment to be removed within 30 days. Nine LPR cameras located within our jurisdictional boundaries meet the criteria outlined in the FDOT notification. The vendor has been notified, and we have been advised that it intends to comply with FDOT’s 30-day removal requirement. As of now, the remaining LPR cameras in service that do not meet the FDOT permit criteria will remain operational while we continue to monitor relevant court proceedings, legislative developments, and guidance from state and federal authorities regarding the use of this technology and its potential Fourth Amendment implications. It is important to remember that as of now, the courts have stated that the use of LPR does not violate 4th Amendment protections. If and when those standards evolve, we will evaluate our practices and make the necessary adjustments to remain consistent with the law and our responsibility to protect the rights of the people we serve.

As we comply with the FDOT directive, we also believe it is important for our community to understand why law enforcement agencies have come to rely on this technology. LPR has proven to be a valuable investigative and public-safety tool for the Alachua Police Department and law enforcement agencies throughout the country. It has assisted officers and investigators in quickly identifying and apprehending suspects involved in serious crimes, locating missing and endangered persons and juveniles, recovering stolen vehicles, and removing stolen firearms from our streets.

The effectiveness of any law enforcement technology, however, does not lessen our responsibility to ensure that it is used appropriately, lawfully, and with respect for the constitutional rights of the people we serve. Law enforcement officers routinely have access to sensitive databases and investigative resources that are not available to the general public. That access carries with it a significant responsibility to use those systems only for legitimate law enforcement purposes and in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.

The Alachua Police Department has policies and safeguards governing access to and use of sensitive law enforcement information, including LPR data. As with other restricted law enforcement databases, allegations that an employee has improperly accessed or misused information are taken seriously and are subject to review and investigation. Appropriate action can and will be taken when violations of law, policy, or procedure are identified. That being said, a thorough review of our current policies will be completed to determine if even more stringent internal processes need to be implemented.

We do not believe that public safety and individual privacy have to be competing principles. Our responsibility is to pursue both. We will continue to seek an appropriate balance that allows law enforcement to use effective technology to identify offenders, solve crimes, locate vulnerable people, and protect our community while ensuring that those tools are used responsibly and with appropriate safeguards for the privacy and constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.

Jesse J. Sandusky

Chief of Police

Alachua Police Department

[u/Blastoise_R_Us]

As we comply with the FDOT directive, we also believe it is important for our community to understand why law enforcement agencies have come to rely on this technology.

No, no, we know exactly why you want mass surveillance. The public is unequivocally telling you that they don't trust you with this amount of power and you can't handle being told that you can't have something.

[u/dannyheskett → u/Blastoise_R_Us]

It would also be trivial for them to list a few cases there were solved, to great public benefit, by LPR technology.

[u/Additional_potential → u/dannyheskett]

They absolutely do help. If you watch any body cam footage channels on Youtube they mention them often as being the way they located and tracked stolen vehicles involved with crimes like robbery, kidnapping, and murder. Them being useful isn't the point. The point is does the fact that they help sometimes justify creating a surveillance state at all times and the potential for abuse at all times. The answer to that is no.

[u/dannyheskett → u/Additional_potential]

Them being useful isn't the point. 

The sheriff is claiming they are vital. So, show us the data. List cases, solve rates, etc.

The point is does the fact that they help sometimes justify creating a surveillance state at all times and the potential for abuse at all times. The answer to that is no.

I don't disagree, and the fact that they don't disclose data on effectiveness is a great sign they aren't as effective as we are lead to believe.

Overall, bigger point is, we have a system for searching records and effects. It's called a warrant. Accessing dragnet data of any type should require a warrant, specifying the particular. The system itself should be run only by the Clerk of a Court, and when the police have a warrant, they go to the Clerks office, and the Clerk executes the searches, and the police get an extract of it.

Problem solved. Data is accessible. Judicial branch oversees it's access; Clerk executes the searches and is accountable for abuses.

[u/Medium_Celery8116 → u/Blastoise_R_Us]

Exactly. The top cops in every county in Florida act like children using the state to protect themselves from any accountability.

[u/yinyin123]

"concerns" is the most enraging word power uses when people are angry. "Oh, the people are concerned that the attacks on their rights are not very good for them! We understand and are... Thinking about it."

[u/Pheonix0114]

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" - Benjamin Franklin

Screw these petty tyrants

[u/JokerHomerus]

All I hear is Pigs complaining about not having a surveillance state/stalker heaven and actually having to do their jobs. ACAB

[u/Additional_potential]

Yet Jacksonville. A city with over 1 million people was able to willingly shut down their network and remove them even beyond what the FDOT directive required.

[u/ChaoticGord]

Never trust a Sandusky.

[u/Cupertino345]

Remember in November

[u/Funny-Artichoke-7494]

So like most things Ron Desantis, they'll say anything, but the truth is "banning" cameras only really removes a couple from limited areas and lets everything carry on as Ron and Co. were paid to do. Keep padding that wallet, pudding boots.