Axon Automatic License Plate Readers: fleet, outpost and light post models. Photo Courtesy Axon
BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone is on the agenda for Tuesday evening’s County Council meeting to discuss the Department’s use of cameras and data collection in the County.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers in the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Avenue in Los Alamos, and the public may also participate via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85448619994
Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): +1 346 248 7799 or + 1 346 248 7799 or + +1 669 444 9171 US or + 1 719 3594580or +1 720 707 2699
It seems like things have come a full circle. There have always been concerns about “Big Brother” watching what’s happening out there, but people were often pleased to find that something they wanted to see had been captured on video by someone else. These days, digital technology has revolutionized even the grocery store and most people don’t give them a second thought.
When I started newspaper reporting in Los Alamos about 10 years ago, I remember hearing from LAPD that there would never be cameras around town because the community would object so strongly to it. Nowadays, folks are more understanding about the benefits of cameras for public safety, but they don’t like to hear about them, after they have been installed.
The introduction in the Council’s agenda package for Tuesday’s meeting says that recent public discussion “has raised questions about the purpose of these technologies, how information is collected and used, how long it is retained, and whether it is shared or sold to third parties.” It says the Chief’s presentation is intended to provide transparency regarding current and proposed County practices and to facilitate discussion regarding future policy development.
Included in the agenda packet are three documents:
“Ethical Framework and Policy Guidelines for License Plate Readers”
https://losalamos.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15657101&GUID=2A5F019C-F43D-45E7-84E7-E5780A807D1B
Axon ALPR Data Governance Product Card
https://losalamos.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15657098&GUID=015CBE57-7F64-4D45-81E2-3EF7C69B1AE6
Police Department Policy 206 on Automated License Plate Readers
https://losalamos.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15657099&GUID=003BDAF1-0E18-41A4-8988-385683D076D2
Other information provided about camera systems includes:
Los Alamos County utilizes a variety of camera systems to support public safety, law enforcement operations, traffic safety, facility security, and emergency response. These systems include, but are not limited to:
– Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras
– Automated Speed Enforcement cameras
– Body Worn Cameras (BWC)
– In vehicle camera systems
– Interview room recording systems
– Security cameras located at County facilities and critical infrastructure
– Intersection traffic cameras
– Weather cameras
Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Program
The Los Alamos Police Department implemented License Plate Reader technology as a public safety and investigative tool. The technology assists law enforcement in locating stolen vehicles, identifying vehicles associated with criminal activity, locating missing or endangered persons, and supporting criminal investigations. ALPR technology captures images of license plates and associated vehicle information as vehicles travel on public roadways. The technology is intended for legitimate law enforcement purposes and is not intended to monitor lawful activity or track the daily movements of residents. Facial recognition technology is not in use in by LAPD.
Automated Speed Enforcement Program
Automated Speed Enforcement is being implemented in response to ongoing community concerns regarding excessive speeding, reckless driving, and traffic safety throughout Los Alamos County. The primary purpose of the program is to improve roadway safety by reducing speeding, modifying driver behavior, and decreasing crashes. The program supplements traditional traffic enforcement efforts and is not intended to replace officer initiated enforcement. All violations generated through the Automated Speed Enforcement System will be reviewed and approved by authorized law enforcement personnel prior to issuance.
DATA COLLECTION AND USE
ALPR systems may collect:
– License plate numbers
– Date and time of image capture
– Camera location
– Vehicle photographs
– Vehicle characteristics, such as make, model, and color
LPR information may be used for:
– Criminal investigations
– Locating stolen vehicles
– Locating missing or endangered persons
– Investigative leads related to criminal activity
– Officer safety purposes
Speed enforcement cameras may collect:
– Vehicle license plate information
– Date and time of violation
– Violation location
– Speed information
– Photographic evidence of violations
– Violation processing and adjudication information
Information collected through the Automated Speed Enforcement Program may be used for:
– Issuing warning notices and citations
– Administrative hearings and appeals
– Statistical analysis of traffic conditions
– Evaluation of roadway safety improvements
– Body Worn and In Vehicle Cameras
Body worn and in vehicle camera systems collect digital evidence related to law enforcement contacts and incidents. Information is used for:
– Criminal investigations
– Evidence preservation
– Officer accountability
– Court proceedings
– Public records requests as permitted by law
– Training and administrative review
DATA OWNERSHIP AND PRIVACY PROTECTIONS
Los Alamos County maintains ownership and control of data collected through County operated public safety camera systems. The County does not sell camera data or personal information collected through these systems. Access to camera data is restricted to authorized personnel with a legitimate business or law enforcement need. Access to systems is logged and subject to audit. The County is committed to balancing public safety needs with the privacy rights of residents and visitors.
– Proposed policies under development include:
– Limiting access to authorized users.
– Requiring documented law enforcement or public safety purposes for data queries.
– Establishing audit and oversight requirements.
– Defining data retention schedules.
– Establishing procedures for responding to Inspection of Public Records Act requests.
– Prohibiting unauthorized disclosure, transfer, or sale of data.
– Prohibiting use of systems for monitoring individuals or groups based solely on race, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, or participation in constitutionally protected activities.
DATA RETENTION
Data retention periods vary based on the system, evidentiary value, and applicable state records retention requirements. County staff is developing formal retention schedules and policies to ensure consistency with New Mexico law, records retention requirements, and operational needs.