FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement on the Use of ALPR Devices & Data in Pennsylvania

STATEMENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA AUTOMOBILE THEFT PREVENTION AUTHORITY ON THE USE OF ALPR DEVICES & DATA IN PENNSYLVANIA.

August 24, 2026

The Pennsylvania Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) recognizes that ALPR technology is a vital resource used by law enforcement in Pennsylvania for identifying and recovering stolen vehicles, and apprehending vehicle theft suspects. As such the ATPA supports the lawful, ethical, transparent, and accountable use of Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology for such purposes. The ability to quickly recover stolen vehicles not only directly impacts the individual victim of such crimes, but helps control costs to insurance consumers by reducing the number of claims and the costs of payouts from
insurers, which can affect insurance rates.

The ATPA further recognizes that the legitimate use of ALPR data can assist vehicle crimes investigators in conducting investigations into sophisticated schemes perpetrated by organized criminal enterprises. These investigations often take time to develop and the use of stored ALPR data can help vehicle crimes investigators track the movement of stolen vehicles and the suspected members of these organizations and generate investigative leads, which is
essential in establishing patterns, associations, and the acts involved in these types of schemes.

The ATPA also understands that beyond the role that ALPR devices and data serve regarding vehicle crimes investigations they serve a much broader legitimate law enforcement function which includes preventing and solving crime, protecting community members and officers, locating missing, endangered, and vulnerable persons, and recovering stolen property. The ATPA believes that the recent statement (August 2026) on ALPR issues issued by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) presents well thought out information for legislative bodies considering legislation to regulate ALPR devices and data. We believe the core safeguard recommendations developed by the IACP, as listed below, are a good starting point for any discussion of such regulation:

Use ALPR technology and data only for a documented, lawful public safety purpose.
Limit access to trained, authorized personnel and prohibit personal, political, retaliatory, discriminatory, commercial, or other unauthorized use.
Maintain a comprehensive written policy covering authorized uses, deployment, hot lists, training, accuracy, access, security, sharing, retention, complaints, audits, and consequences for misuse.
Treat each ALPR alert as an investigative lead, not conclusive evidence. Confirm the plate, jurisdiction, record status, and connection to the driver before taking
enforcement action.
Maintain tamper-resistant audit records and conduct regular audits, supervisory reviews, and periodic evaluations to verify authorized use, data accuracy, retention compliance, and public safety value.
Investigate suspected misuse promptly. Apply appropriate corrective or disciplinary action, including administrative, civil, or criminal accountability, when warranted, and use audit findings to improve policies, training, security, and system controls.
Protect ALPR data with appropriate cybersecurity, authentication, access controls, and data-integrity measures. Retain data only as long as it serves an authorized purpose, then purge it promptly.
Share ALPR information only with authorized entities for legitimate purposes under written agreements that preserve access limits, security, auditing, retention requirements, and restrictions on secondary use. Document each disclosure.

The ATPA is available to provide input and consultation to the Pennsylvania General Assembly regarding the use of ALPR devices and data, with a particular focus on their use in vehicle crimes matters.

Created by an Act of Assembly in 1994 the Pennsylvania Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) is tasked with developing programs that prevent and reduce vehicle theft in Pennsylvania, and coordinating efforts with law enforcement and prosecutors across the Commonwealth to achieve that goal. Further information, including our Annual Reports can be found at: www.watchyourcar.org.

PENNSYLVANIA AUTOMOBILE THEFT PREVENTION AUTHORITY
5 Kacey Court, Suite 201, Mechanicsburg PA 17055

(717) 591-7097
general@watchyourcar.org