Key Takeaways:
- The Minot City Council approved the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) with a 4-3 vote.
- Council member Mike Blessum proposed several motions to limit the use of the system, including disabling data storage, requiring warrants for database searches, and creating an oversight board.
- The council passed motions to shorten the data retention period to 10 days and to require approval from high-ranking officers for database searches.
- An oversight board will be created to review the department’s searches of the data and make recommendations for policy changes.
- The council delayed a decision on prohibiting data sharing with other government agencies until they receive clarification on open records laws.
Introduction to ALPRs
The Minot City Council recently approved the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) by the Minot Police Department. The decision was made with a 4-3 vote, with council members Mike Blessum, Rob Fuller, and Scott Samuelson voting against the implementation. The ALPR system is already installed in patrol vehicles, and the council’s approval allows the police department to turn it on and start using it. The system is designed to help the police department do their job safely and effectively, but some council members have raised concerns about the potential impact on public privacy.
Concerns about Public Privacy
Council member Mike Blessum expressed concerns that the use of ALPRs could lead to a "surveillance state" and infringe on the public’s right to privacy. He proposed several motions to limit the use of the system, including disabling data storage and requiring warrants for database searches. Blessum argued that the data should be deleted as soon as possible to protect the public’s privacy, and that the police department should not be able to store the data for an extended period. However, Police Chief Michael Frye argued that the system is designed to help the police department do their job, and that retaining the data for a short period is necessary for investigative purposes.
Limiting the Use of ALPRs
The council considered several motions to limit the use of the ALPR system. Blessum’s motion to disable data storage failed, but the council did pass a motion to shorten the data retention period to 10 days. This was seen as a compromise between Blessum’s proposal to delete the data immediately and the police department’s request to retain it for 30 days. The council also passed a motion requiring approval from high-ranking officers for database searches, which was seen as a way to provide additional oversight and ensure that the system is used responsibly.
Oversight and Accountability
The council also created an oversight board to review the department’s searches of the data and make recommendations for policy changes. The board will be chaired by the council president and will include another appointed council member and three members from the community. The board will meet monthly to review the department’s searches and provide feedback on the use of the ALPR system. This is seen as a way to provide additional oversight and ensure that the system is used in a way that balances public safety with individual privacy.
Data Sharing and Open Records
The council delayed a decision on prohibiting data sharing with other government agencies until they receive clarification on open records laws. The city attorney noted that open records laws may require the police department to make the data available to the public, even if they are not shared with other government agencies. The council voted to direct staff to obtain information from the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office and report back to the council at their next meeting. This will help to clarify the extent of the police department’s obligations under open records laws and ensure that the ALPR system is used in a way that is consistent with these laws.
Conclusion
The Minot City Council’s decision to approve the use of ALPRs is a significant development in the city’s approach to public safety. While the system has the potential to be a valuable tool for the police department, it also raises important questions about public privacy and the potential for abuse. The council’s efforts to limit the use of the system and provide additional oversight are seen as a way to balance these competing interests and ensure that the system is used in a responsible and transparent way. As the city moves forward with the implementation of the ALPR system, it will be important to continue to monitor its use and ensure that it is consistent with the values of public safety and individual privacy.
