Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Alpr topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves purchase of 50 fixed ALPR units to target auto theft hot spots and entry points
Summary
The committee approved a $150,000 proposal to buy 50 fixed automated license plate readers to be placed at high-need locations and county entry points; staff said ALPRs augment mobile systems, aid stolen-vehicle investigations, and support interjurisdictional alerts, while members asked for public briefings on policy and data controls.
The Public Safety Committee voted 3–0 to allow the police department to acquire 50 fixed automated license plate reader (ALPR) units under a $150,000 proposal to improve stolen-vehicle detection and situational awareness at county entry points and high-auto-theft corridors.
"This change would permit the department to purchase 50 fixed poles ALPRs through its current contract with Axon," Ms. Farag said. Staff said ALPRs would be installed in locations determined by crime and call-for-service data, with emphasis on stolen vehicles and entry points from state highways. Lieutenant Cody Fields described ALPR as an "amplifier" to existing tools and noted benefits beyond stolen-vehicle detection, including AMBER-alert and missing-person responses.
Council members asked about interjurisdictional deployment and authority to place fixed sites on state roadways; staff said Maryland State Police control some state-road assets but county placements would focus on county-owned property and ramps near entry points. Members also requested public briefings on ALPR policies, data retention, and transparency given heightened public interest.
Staff recorded the item for committee approval and noted it remains governed by Maryland law limiting data collection, retention, and dissemination.
