KPD addresses Automated License Plate Reader Technology

The Kerrville Police Department has issued a press release regarding the department’s use of Automated License Plate Reader Technology.  KPD also says it does not use Flock cameras.

KPD has utilized ALPR technology to help keep the Kerrville community safe for roughly 15 years, according to a statement.  The first ALPR used was a single vehicle mounted unit.  Currently, there are two vehicle mounted ALPRs in use, one on the city marshal’s vehicle and one on a KPD patrol unit.  These mobile ALPRs are manufactured by Motorola.  Also currently in use are eight stationary ALPRs which are located at entryways to the city, manufactured by Leonardo US Cyber and Security Solutions.

These ALPRs are grant funded through the Office of the Governor in the amount of approximately $70,000 for two years, and there are no associated costs to the City of Kerrville or the Kerrville Police Department.

ALPR technology captures license plates and vehicle characteristics at a specific place and time, which allows authorized users to locate suspect vehicles for criminal investigation purposes, alongside public safety concerns like Silver Alerts.  KPD’s ALPRs do not utilize facial recognition technology, tell law enforcement who is inside a vehicle, or continually track vehicles.  ALPR is one of many investigative tools that KPD uses to locate wanted suspects, recover stolen vehicles, identify investigative leads, and support criminal investigations.

The release states that every ALPR alert is treated as an investigative lead.  It is not evidence of a crime or probable cause for enforcement action.  Additionally, before any enforcement action is taken, officers are required to independently verify the information and ensure there is a legal reason for any detention, stop, or arrest.  Human judgement, not technology, is what drives every enforcement decision, the release says.  KPD says the department has had zero instances where someone has been subjected to a law enforcement contact because of an inaccurate ALPR alert.

KPD has used ALPR technology to recover multiple stolen vehicles, locate criminal suspects with outstanding warrants, and has also used it to issue a statewide CLEAR Alert after a Kerrville woman was abducted this year from a location in downtown Kerrville.  KPD, the Texas Dept. of Public Safety, and the Burleson County Sheriff’s Dept. all utilized ALPR technology to recover the kidnapping victim safely.

KPD wants to share this information because they understand how important the community’s trust matters.  For more information visit kerrvilletx.gov.