Oklahoma Lawmaker Urges Action Against ALPR Misuse by Police

UPDATE: An urgent study on the misuse of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) in Oklahoma is underway as lawmakers express serious concerns about potential civil rights violations. Oklahoma Representative Tom Gann (R-Inola) has spotlighted alarming practices by law enforcement, revealing that ALPRs, originally intended to ensure drivers have insurance, are being misused for broader surveillance purposes.

During a tense meeting earlier today, Gann stressed that if immediate action is not taken to regulate the use of these cameras, Oklahoma citizens could face severe consequences. “These are serious violations of people’s rights and this comes from a lack of internal controls,” Gann declared. He cited instances where innocent individuals have been mistakenly targeted due to misread license plates, leading to dangerous confrontations with law enforcement.

ALPR technology has been legal in Oklahoma since 2018, designed primarily to enforce the state’s Compulsory Insurance Law. However, according to Shena Burgess, an attorney who spoke at the meeting, the technology is increasingly being utilized for purposes unrelated to insurance enforcement. The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office has reportedly testified in federal court about their frequent use of ALPRs beyond their intended scope.

Gann revealed the troubling implications of these practices, including a case where a woman and her 12-year-old sister were held at gunpoint due to a misread tag. “We have victims of mass surveillance out there already,” he warned, emphasizing the potential for widespread abuse of surveillance technologies.

Burgess echoed Gann’s concerns, highlighting the risks posed to civil liberties. “Once challenges start happening, civil lawsuits are going to follow,” she cautioned, indicating that the fallout from this misuse could ultimately burden taxpayers.

The meeting was initially planned as a joint effort between Gann and fellow Representative Tim Turner (R-Kinta), but Turner withdrew after Gann indicated he would take the full allotted time. Both lawmakers are committed to finding solutions to the growing misuse of ALPR technology.

Oklahoma’s Uninsured Vehicle Enforcement Diversion (UVED) program reports success in reducing the number of uninsured drivers, crediting ALPRs with significant progress over the past seven years. However, as the debate intensifies over their misuse, the potential for harm and violation of constitutional rights has now come to the forefront.

As developments unfold, Gann and Burgess insist on the need for immediate internal controls to protect the rights of Oklahomans. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, as the very foundation of privacy and security hangs in the balance.

Stay tuned for further updates on this critical issue affecting civil liberties across Oklahoma.