Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) are quietly logging where residents drive, often with little public debate. The good news: because most ALPR programs are run or contracted by local government, they’re subject to public records laws. You don’t need a lawyer to find out what your city is doing—you need the right request, sent to the right office.
Why File a Records Request
City councils rarely hold detailed hearings on camera vendors, data retention, or who gets access to license plate data. Records requests are the most reliable way to get primary documents instead of secondhand explanations. They also create a paper trail: agencies know a request exists, which encourages more careful recordkeeping going forward.
What to Ask For
Keep your request specific and document-based rather than asking broad questions like “how does the ALPR program work.” Vague requests get vague answers or long delays. Ask for:
1. The vendor contract or purchase agreement for ALPR equipment or software.
2. The data retention and data-sharing policy.
3. A list of agencies or third parties with access to the data (including regional or national sharing networks).
4. Any audit logs or misuse reports from the past year.
5. Camera location list, if maintained.
The Request, Word for Word
Adapt this template to your state’s public records law (often called FOIA, Sunshine Law, or Public Records Act) and send it to your city clerk, police department records unit, or designated records officer:
“Under [your state’s public records law], I am requesting copies of the following records related to the [City Name] Police Department’s use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology:
1. The current contract(s) and any amendments with ALPR vendors (e.g., Flock Safety, Motorola, Vigilant Solutions, or others).
2. The department’s written policy on ALPR data retention, use, and sharing with outside agencies.
3. A list of all outside agencies, task forces, or networks with access to this department’s ALPR data.
4. Any audit reports, misuse investigations, or compliance reviews concerning ALPR data access from the past 12 months.
5. A list of current ALPR camera locations, if such a list is maintained by the department.
I request these records in electronic format where available. If any portion is exempt, please provide the remaining non-exempt portions and cite the specific exemption claimed for withheld material. Please let me know if fees apply before processing.”
What Happens Next
Response times vary by state, typically 5 to 30 business days. Some agencies acknowledge quickly but produce records slowly—that’s normal. If you receive a fee estimate that seems excessive, ask for a breakdown and consider narrowing your request to reduce cost. If records are withheld, ask for the specific legal exemption cited; many withholdings are boilerplate and can be challenged with a polite follow-up.
If You Hit a Wall
Silence or denial isn’t the end of the road. Many states allow you to appeal to a records ombudsman or state attorney general’s office. Local press and civic organizations often have experience pushing back on stonewalling—reaching out to a local chapter can help you find people who’ve filed similar requests in your state and know its quirks.
Turn It Into Action
Once you have documents in hand, they’re useful beyond your own curiosity. Camera location data can be added to the map to help others in your area understand where they’re being tracked. Vendor and policy details are worth sharing with your city council, especially if the contract lacks basic safeguards like retention limits or audit requirements. For background on how these systems work and what typical policies should include, see our learn section. And if you want to push for actual policy change—not just information—our take action page has concrete next steps, including model ordinances and talking points for public comment.
A single records request rarely changes policy overnight, but it converts an opaque system into a documented one. That documentation is the foundation every successful local campaign against unchecked surveillance is built on.
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