The Montgomery County Police Department is providing residents with more information about its Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Program, explaining how the technology is used, what it is not used for, and the safeguards in place to protect privacy.
According to MCPD, ALPR systems use specialized cameras and software to automatically read license plates and compare them against law enforcement databases to help locate vehicles connected to crimes or missing persons.
The department emphasized that its ALPR system is not Flock Safety and is not connected to Flock’s nationwide network. MCPD says the system is used to help locate:
- Stolen vehicles
- Stolen license plates
- Wanted individuals
- Missing persons
- Vehicles associated with AMBER Alerts
The department also stressed that the technology is not used for:
- Immigration-related enforcement
- Tracking people or recording their movements
- Issuing traffic tickets or enforcing penalties
- Facial recognition or biometric identification
According to MCPD, the system has helped officers recover stolen vehicles, locate wanted individuals, find missing persons, and support investigations into violent crimes.
The department says several privacy safeguards are built into the program. Access to the system is limited to authorized personnel, every search is logged and audited, compliance reviews are conducted monthly, and an independent audit is completed annually. MCPD also noted that use of the technology is restricted by both Maryland law and department policy.
The department shared the information as part of an effort to increase public understanding of how the technology is used and the limits placed on its operation.
