Urbandale limits access to automated license plate reader data
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A Flock camera. Photos: Courtesy of Flock Safety
Urbandale's license plate reading company must now give the city at least 10 days' notice before disclosing data in response to a subpoena or court order.
Why it matters: The notice gives Urbandale time to challenge requests, addressing concerns that the city's footage could be accessed by federal agencies like ICE.
Driving the news: The City Council unanimously approved the revised contract with Flock, the company that operates the city's 26-camera system, on Tuesday.
Catch up quick: Automated license plate readers (ALPR) scan passing vehicles, record their plate numbers and details like make, model and color, and store that data for up to 30 days in a searchable database used by law enforcement to identify vehicles linked to crimes.
- The systems link with a national crime database, and their use has expanded rapidly in recent years, with at least 48 Iowa cities or law enforcement agencies tracking vehicle movements and assisting investigations.
Friction point: "Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU of Iowa, warn the systems can track people's movements and raise concerns about data storage, access and sharing with outside or federal agencies."
Yes, but: The systems help solve crimes that otherwise would have no leads, including stolen property cases and locating missing people, Police Chief Rob Johansen said.
- Flock says its technology has been used to help solve hundreds of thousands of crimes each year.
Reality check: While the amendment allows the city to contest the release of its data, it might not prevent all disclosures.
- Once approved, other law enforcement agencies can search Urbandale's data without requesting access each time.
What they're saying: Council members said the city struck a balance between public safety and privacy safeguards.
The other side: ACLU of Iowa policy director Pete McRoberts told Axios the changes are "too little, too late."
- "Urbandale, and every other surveillance city in Iowa, needs to fully cancel these dangerous ALPR contracts," McRoberts said.
What we're watching: Whether the changes could become a model for other cities as license plate reader programs face growing questions about privacy, transparency and data sharing.