SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. — Automated license plate readers are becoming increasingly common across the country and in Sussex County, raising questions about how the technology is used, who can access the data it collects and what safeguards are in place to prevent abuse.
More than 80 automated license plate readers have been identified in Sussex County, according to DeFlock, a website that allows users to submit and map camera locations. The site includes cameras made by Flock Safety and other license plate reader manufacturers.
Rehoboth Beach police operate four Flock Safety automated license plate readers positioned near entrances to the city. According to the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, its automated license plate readers capture license plates, but do not use facial recognition or detect people, gender or race.
Police claim the data is retained for 30 days, owned by the department and used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes. The department says the system cannot be used for immigration or traffic enforcement, harassment, intimidation, personal purposes or based solely on a protected class such as race, sex or religion. Rehoboth PD says accessing the data requires a valid case number, records are stored indefinitely and system usage is audited every 90 days. Police also say the information collected is not sold or shared with third parties.
The technology has drawn scrutiny nationwide over privacy, surveillance and access to vehicle-location information.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, more than 55 communities across the country have decommissioned Flock cameras. Wilmington recently moved to decommission four Flock license plate readers after concerns about data use and privacy were raised before City Council. The city continues to use other license plate reader technology.
Chris Lang, who was visiting Rehoboth Beach, said he sees potential benefits for law enforcement but believes safeguards are necessary. “I think it's a good tool for law enforcement, Lang said. “As long as it's not being abused.” Lang said reports of improper use remain concerning. “I've heard many cases recently that even members of law enforcement have been sanctioned for abusing these systems,” he said. “That's not good.”
As more automated license plate readers appear across Sussex County, the technology is likely to remain under scrutiny. The debate now centers on whether the public has enough transparency over who can access the data, how it is shared and what happens when safeguards fail.
