Is Your City Using Axon License Plate Cameras? We Need Your Help

Your local police department's license plate reader data access logs are now obtainable via public records requests.

404 Media is actively investigating the use of Axon's automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras by cities and law enforcement agencies across the United States. This initiative follows previous reporting on Flock's ALPR systems and concerns about data privacy and potential misuse. The publication is filing public records requests to obtain detailed activity and data sharing reports from agencies using Axon's technology. These reports, similar to "network audits" from Flock, can reveal when officers access the system, their identification, the license plates viewed, and the reasons for the search. 404 Media has already acquired some initial reports from several police departments and sheriff's offices. The publication is now calling on the public to assist by filing their own public records requests for Axon ALPR data in their local communities, providing a template for such requests, and encouraging readers to share any obtained information with them to further their investigation into how this surveillance technology is being employed.

Cities are increasingly adopting Axon's ALPR cameras as an alternative to Flock's systems, a shift partly driven by scrutiny over Flock's data sharing practices. This transition raises new questions about the transparency and accountability of law enforcement's use of widespread surveillance technology. The investigative efforts by 404 Media aim to uncover the specific applications and potential third-party access to data collected by Axon's ALPRs, mirroring the public's interest in understanding the reach of these systems.

The public's engagement through filing public records requests is crucial for building a comprehensive understanding of Axon ALPR usage across different jurisdictions. By crowdsourcing this information, 404 Media seeks to replicate the impact of their previous investigations and foster greater public awareness and oversight of surveillance technologies deployed by law enforcement agencies nationwide.