License Plate Reader Technology
UDPD uses automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras to support investigations involving vehicle theft, hit-and-run incidents, missing persons, and other crimes where vehicle identification is relevant.
The system captures license plate characters and basic vehicle characteristics like make, model, and color, as vehicles pass. ALPR systems do not use facial recognition technology and they cannot identify individuals.
The UDPD currently operates 10 ALPRs, all of which are Flock Safety brand cameras. UDPD personnel may access data obtained from the cameras only for an authorized law enforcement purpose. For example, if an alert comes through the system that indicates a stolen vehicle passed one of the Flock cameras, an officer is required to verify that the vehicle in question has an active alert in a law enforcement database, such as DELJIS (Delaware Criminal Justice Information System) or NCIC (National Crime Information Center). The same applies when a license plate matches a database record such as a stolen vehicle, an AMBER Alert, or a Gold Alert for a missing vulnerable adult; the system generates a notification alert for UDPD to review in the law enforcement databases.
Every alert in the Flock system is a lead, and officers are required to visually confirm the plate and independently verify the record status in a law enforcement database, such as DELJIS or NCIC, before taking any enforcement action.
Policy and Oversight
UDPD maintains a written policy governing use of ALPR technology. The policy limits use by UDPD personnel to legitimate law enforcement and public safety purposes, establishes requirements for access, use, retention and sharing of ALPR data, and prohibits personal, discriminatory, harassing or First Amendment-infringing uses.
The policy also requires training for authorized users, documentation of historical searches and annual randomized audits of system use to assess compliance.
UD’s Information Technology unit works alongside UDPD for all technology products.
What data are collected?
The system captures license plate and vehicle images and information, including license plate number and state, vehicle characteristics, date time, and camera location. Flock Safety states that its ALPR technology does not collect driver information or biometric data and does not use facial recognition. The system captures vehicle information at a particular location and point in time and is not designed to identify drivers or passengers.
How long are data retained?
Data not connected to an active authorized investigation are purged within 30 days.
Who can access UDPD ALPR data?
UDPD personnel with access to ALPR data must be trained and authorized law enforcement personnel. Historical searches must be for an authorized law enforcement or public safety purpose, and users must provide an associated complaint or case number and reason before conducting any search of the data.
When is data accessed?
UDPD personnel may access data gathered from the cameras only for an authorized law enforcement or public safety purpose. An ALPR alert is an investigative lead, and officers must independently confirm that there is an active case or status in the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System or National Crime Information Center before taking an enforcement action.
Who owns the data?
The University of Delaware owns the data collected by its ALPR cameras. Flock Safety provides the technology platform used to collect, store and manage data. Flock Safety states that it does not sell customer data.
Are data shared with other law enforcement agencies or added to a national database?
Flock’s platform allows customers to control whether their ALPR data are shared with other law enforcement agencies; according to Flock, inter-agency sharing is not automatic. UDPD policy currently limits sharing by UDPD personnel to authorized law enforcement or public safety purposes and requires UDPD to control its own data. Information is not automatically shared with other law enforcement agencies or to a national database. Any sharing requires a specific law enforcement purpose or public safety purpose and is subject to applicable law, criminal justice information security requirements and UDPD policy.
Flock states that it does not provide federal agencies with automatic access to customer ALPR data and that federal access must be affirmatively enabled by the customer. UDPD has not enabled and does not allow federal law enforcement agencies to access its ALPR data through the Flock system. UDPD also does not use its ALPR system for immigration enforcement or investigations related to reproductive healthcare and has configured its system to block searches for those purposes.
What uses are prohibited?
The system may not be used for personal use, harassment, intimidation, or to infringe upon or deter activities protected by the First Amendment, including peaceful assembly, speech, religion or the press.
How is the use of the data audited?
Searches conducted through the Flock system are automatically logged and tied to individual users. UDPD policy requires its ALPR System Administrator, an officer authorized by UD’s chief of police, to conduct randomized audits of system use to assess compliance. Suspected misuse is investigated and subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
Are cameras monitored in real time?
No. Cameras are not monitored in real time. Cameras automatically capture vehicle data as vehicles pass and may generate real-time alerts when a vehicle plate matches an applicable law enforcement record. Officers cannot watch a live video feed through the ALPR cameras.
Do UDPD cameras use artificial intelligence?
Flock provides that its ALPR technology uses automated and machine-learning technology to identify license plates and vehicle characteristics and make that information searchable. UDPD Flock cameras do not use facial recognition technology.
UDPD does not subscribe to the Flock AI/FreeForm feature, which allows authorized users to conduct broad, free-form, text-based searches. As a result, UDPD searches are restricted to established categories and predetermined search parameters rather than FreeForm natural-language searching.
Where are cameras located?
ALPR cameras operated by UDPD are located near campus entry and exit points. UDPD does not operate other ALPRs in the Newark area.
