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Privacy advocates and police weigh state rules for automated license-plate readers
Summary
The committee heard competing testimony on a bill to standardize use, retention, and oversight of automated license-plate reader (ALPR) systems: police chiefs and public-safety witnesses emphasized crime-solving benefits; civil liberties groups and local attorneys urged state rules and limits to prevent misuse.
The House Judiciary Committee on March 25 considered a proposal to add statewide standards for automated license-plate reader systems (ALPR/"Flock" cameras) used by municipal police departments. Supporters and opponents agreed the technology helps solve crime, but differed sharply on oversight, retention policies and potential for misuse.
Gregory Dias, an attorney who requested the bill, said local policies are uneven and ALPR systems record every vehicle 24/7 — creating a continuous historical record that he called an invasion of privacy unless regulated. Dias said statute-level standards are needed because departmental policies vary and can change without public input.
Police chiefs from Woonsocket and Newport said the systems have produced quick results in active investigations and expressed willingness to work with the legislature on guardrails. Chief Oates (Woonsocket) described cases including a domestic‑violence-related identification that led to an arrest and said departments audit access and maintain logs of who runs searches. Chief Duffy (Newport) emphasized potential lifesaving uses — for example, locating people in crisis near the Pell Bridge.
The ACLU of Rhode Island and other witnesses urged statewide retention limits, limits on vendor access to data, and reporting requirements; the ACLU said some vendor materials previously advertised search options (for example, “vehicle type, make, color, bumper stickers”) and warned that openness to policy changes by vendors is a risk. Flock Safety (vendor) testified in favor of some provisions and suggested banning vendors from selling or otherwise commercializing data.
Committee members asked about audits, internal affairs oversight, officer access logs and consequences for misuse. Police testified that every search is logged and reviewed and that internal discipline procedures would apply to misuse; civil liberties witnesses said that statutory safeguards and penalties are needed in addition to internal audits.
No vote was taken; the sponsor indicated the bill would require further drafting and that stakeholders would continue negotiations.
Why it matters: ALPR systems are increasingly common and provide investigative leads, but they also create large location datasets; the committee heard both the public‑safety value and civil‑liberties concerns and signalled interest in state-level standards.
