The Provo City Police Department recently entered into a statewide Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology, according to a October 15 statement. The agreement allows Utah law enforcement agencies to share ALPR information for authorized law enforcement purposes.
ALPR technology utilizes cameras to capture images of vehicles and compare them against databases associated with active criminal investigations, missing persons, AMBER Alerts, outstanding warrants, or stolen vehicles. The MOU establishes the rules under which participating agencies may share this data with one another as permitted by Utah law.
This information-sharing agreement is intended to assist agencies as they initiate searches related to locating missing or endangered persons, finding stolen vehicles, supporting active criminal investigations, or locating vehicles associated with outstanding warrants. This capability addresses the fact that criminal activity and public safety incidents often cross city and county boundaries.
While the agreement governs how agencies share lawfully collected information, it is not an approval of any specific camera installation. Provo City determines how it uses its own ALPR resources and data in accordance with state law, department policy, and the terms of the agreement. However, the city does not control how other law enforcement agencies deploy technology, place cameras, or manage data collected under their own authority.
Many ALPR systems in Utah are managed by entities outside of Provo City, including municipal, county, and state law enforcement organizations.
ALP
Rs are sometimes referred to as Flock cameras. These systems capture still images of the rear view of a vehicle traveling on a roadway at a set location. The captured images may identify the vehicle's make, model, color, and license plate, as well as other identifying characteristics such as vehicle damage or stickers.
The use and sharing of this information is governed by Utah law and agency policies. The MOU does not expand law enforcement authority beyond what is permitted under state law but instead provides a secure framework for data sharing.
Residents interested in learning more about the information-sharing agreement, ALPR technology, or Utah law regarding its use may review the signed Memorandum of Understanding and the ALPR info article. Additional information regarding the Provo Police Department’s use of ALPR cameras is available through the APLR Usage Policy, the APLR Usage Statistics Page, or by contacting the Police Department at 801-852-6210.
