L.A. County Blocks ICE Access to License Plate Data

Los Angeles County Bolsters Oversight of license Plate Reader Data

Los Angeles County is taking steps to increase protection for its residents’ privacy by tightening regulations on how law enforcement shares data collected by automated license plate readers (ALPRs).

On Tuesday,the County Supervisors approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Hilda Solis,aimed at increasing oversight of data gathered by ALPRs. These devices, used by the Sheriff’s Department, capture data on millions of vehicles, which can be used to locate stolen vehicles, identify crime suspects, adn find missing persons. The motion comes after a summer of increased deportations.

While California law already prohibits local law enforcement from sharing ALPR facts with federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without a warrant, the new measure seeks to provide even greater clarity and accountability.

The approved motion establishes a clear policy that ALPR data cannot be “disclosed, transferred, or or else made available” to immigration officials unless explicitly required by law or authorized by a warrant.

“in a place like Los Angeles County, where residents depend on cars for nearly every aspect of daily life, people must feel safe traveling from place to place without fear that their movements are being tracked, stored, and shared in ways that violate their privacy,” the motion states.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger cast the sole dissenting vote. According to her spokesperson, Helen chavez, Barger opposed the motion becuase it includes support for a bill that would limit law enforcement’s ability to retain most license plate data to 60 days. Law enforcement agencies have voiced opposition to this bill.

The Los angeles County Sheriff’s Department has roughly 366 fixed licensed plate readers from Motorola Vigilant and 476 from Flock.