GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — New cameras that automatically read drivers' license plates have been installed around Green Bay. The Green Bay Police Department said Friday it's in a research, evaluation and testing process with new technology that is known as Automatic License Plate Readers.
Green Bay Police Department is one of more than 70 law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin that have deployed various ALPR systems.
The police department says cameras automatically capture the license plate of every vehicle that drives through the equipped intersections, day and night. Cameras are motion activated and can capture vehicle make, type, color, license plate and other distinguishing marks (such as bumper stickers or a roof rack).
ALPR locations were selected based on several criteria, including areas of major entrances/exits to the city and coverage for each bridge over the Fox River. A total of 28 ALPR units are placed throughout Green Bay, police said.
Cameras are located on public roadways and only record within the right of way of the roadway. Green Bay Police owns the data recorded and the data will not be sold or monetized. Data storage is cloud-based and will be stored for 30 days and automatically deleted on a rolling basis. Every search for evidence is logged, requires a documented reason for search and is audited.
Green Bay Police said the cameras don't use facial recognition technology. ALPR isn't a traffic enforcement camera or “red light” camera.
Police said the department has been researching this technology for several months, including developing a strong policy on the implementation and safe use of ALPR.
