Angels Camp, CA – The Angels Camp Police Chief supports the use of license plate readers, touting them as a good investigation tool that helps fight crime.
Critics argue that the usage of the reader violates privacy and establishes a “Big Brother” state by creating searchable databases on innocent drivers’ movements. Heading up the department since May of this year, Chief Steve Poortinga defended the practice and explained its use in the city in this statement:
“The Angels Camp Police Department is committed to protecting our community while respecting the privacy rights of those we serve.
Our Flock License Plate Reader (LPR) system was purchased entirely through grant funding, not local tax dollars. LPR systems are part of a growing network of law enforcement agencies throughout California and the United States that use license plate reader technology to help identify stolen vehicles, vehicles associated with felony crimes, missing persons, stolen license plates, and other legitimate public safety investigations. By participating in this network, the Angels Camp Police Department is able to both contribute to and benefit from information shared among partnering agencies, improving our ability to solve crimes, recover stolen property, locate missing persons, and enhance public safety.
License plate reader technology is integrated into the Angels Camp Police Department’s public safety ecosystem. These systems work together to document and preserve evidence while providing officers with valuable investigative tools. Regardless of the platform, LPR technology used by the Angels Camp Police Department is governed by the same policies, training requirements, and privacy protections.
It is important to understand what this technology does and does not do. None of the license plate reader systems used by the Angels Camp Police Department has facial recognition capabilities. LPR systems are not designed, positioned, or intended to capture facial images of vehicle occupants. Their purpose is to capture images of license plates and associated vehicle characteristics that may assist in legitimate law enforcement investigations. LPR technology is not used to issue automated traffic citations or traffic tickets, nor is it used to monitor the daily activities of law-abiding residents.
Every Angels Camp police officer receives training on the proper use of LPR technology and is required to follow department policy before being authorized to use the system. The Angels Camp Police Department’s policy authorizes the use of LPR technology to capture and store digital license plate data while recognizing and protecting the established privacy rights of the public. The technology is used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes and in accordance with state law and department policy.
To ensure accountability, LPR systems used by the Angels Camp Police Department maintain comprehensive audit logs that document user access and system activity. Department administrators conduct periodic audits of system activity to verify compliance with department policy and applicable law. Any misuse of the system is subject to investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.
Consistent with California law, the Angels Camp Police Department does not share LPR information with federal law enforcement agencies except as otherwise authorized or required by law. LPR data is retained for 30 days unless it becomes evidence in a criminal investigation or is otherwise required to be retained in accordance with applicable law and department policy.
The Angels Camp Police Department will periodically review the operational value of LPR technology, its contribution to public safety, and its impact on individual privacy to ensure its continued use remains appropriate, effective, and consistent with community expectations and applicable law.
LPR technology has assisted Angels Camp police officers in identifying vehicles involved in violent crimes, burglaries, hit-and-run investigations, locating stolen vehicles, identifying vehicles associated with missing person investigations, and developing investigative leads that may not have otherwise been available.
Simply driving past an LPR camera does not make someone a suspect. The system captures images of license plates and associated vehicle information that may be relevant to criminal investigations or public safety incidents. The information is used as an investigative tool to assist officers in solving crimes, recovering stolen property, locating missing persons, and enhancing public safety.
The Angels Camp Police Department values the rights of our citizens. LPR technology is a public safety tool designed to help protect our community, solve crimes, recover stolen property, locate missing persons, and improve officer and community safety. It is not used to “spy” on our residents.
If you have questions about license plate reader technology, our policies, or any other public safety concern, I encourage you to reach out by phone or in person at the police department.
Strong communities are built on open communication, mutual respect, and trust. While we may not always agree on every issue, honest conversations and a willingness to listen to one another lead to better understanding and better policing.
My commitment is simple: to provide the highest level of police service possible while working alongside the community we are privileged to serve.
Chief Steve Poortinga”
