(The Center Square) – Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said Tuesday he wants more accountability for automated license plate readers.
The technology has raised privacy concerns, as police officers with access to it have been arrested for using it to access data for purposes other than law enforcement.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Monday two officers are facing charges of misuse of a license plate reader system and violation of oath of office.
Former police officer Anthony Trapani, who worked with the Emerson and Acworth police departments, and former Colquitt County Deputy Bentley Hughes are the latest in a string of 81 incidents of technology abuse in Georgia, according to the Institute For Justice Database of ALPR Abuse.
No Atlanta officers have faced charges relating to misuse of the technology but the Atlanta Police Department flagged 79 incidents that are being investigated to determine if they deviate from police policy, according to Dickens.
“Public safety is not a blank check, and neither is privacy an excuse to deny law enforcement tools that can help save lives and solve crimes,” Dickens said in a statement. “Atlanta will have both: effective public safety technology governed by clear rules, meaningful oversight and consequences when those rules are violated.”
The Atlanta Police Department has revised its policies for the automated license plate readers to include monthly audits and clearer definitions on how the technology can be used, according to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum.
“Transparency, accountability and public trust remain central to this process,” Schierbaum said. “We will continue to evaluate our policies, training and safeguards and make improvements when necessary to maintain the confidence of the communities we serve.”
Dickens’ proposal would include standards for collecting and retaining the data from the automated license plate readers, mandatory audits and independent oversight. He plans to introduce his proposal at the Atlanta City Council’s Sept. 21 meeting, with the goal of securing final approval within 60 days.
“Public safety and personal privacy are not competing values,” said Atlanta Chief Operating Officer LaChandra Burks. “Atlanta can protect both. Our goal is to give public safety professionals the tools they need while ensuring those tools are used lawfully, transparently and only for authorized purposes.”
