OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Oshkosh Common Council decided to table a vote on whether to largely prohibit the use of automated license plate reading (ALPR) camera technology for criminal investigations.
Several council members advocated for stronger restrictions.
Under the proposed ordinance, Common Council would’ve had to authorize any city staff to use ALPR technology for investigations.
- In April, the city decided not to renew its contract with Flock Safety, after Police Chief Dean Smith found that the Flock representative had lied about the cameras’ capabilities.
- In June, Smith announced the city was still looking at alternative vendors for these ALPR cameras, but that it first would establish a commission to govern policy. Smith later scrapped this plan to instead wait to see if state lawmakers created new legislation in its next session, which begins in January.
Flock previously serviced 25 cameras around the city, which were deactivated and covered with bags. Since April, Oshkosh has not operated any ALPR cameras used for investigative purposes.
Would this have outright banned ALPR cameras indefinitely?
In the proposed policy, if city staff wanted new ALPR technology for criminal investigations, it would have to also give Council a written policy governing:
- Purpose/uses
- Safeguards
- Governance
Council could still have considered future ALPR technology if those criteria were met.
“My goal was to communicate that the city of Oshkosh will not employ this technology,” said Deputy Mayor Karl Buelow, who proposed this resolution.
Council split on support/opposition for more ALPR camera restrictions
Several council members said they want more restrictions in a resolution, pointing to a proposed Appleton resolution that their Council may discuss soon. Appleton’s policy adopted last month allows the use of ALPR technology for parking purposes, controlling access to certain areas, and monitoring weigh stations. The data collected cannot be stored or shared for more than 30 days.
- Jacob Amos: “After reviewing the language of the resolution, I believe that we can implement stronger language.”
- Alec Lefeber: “I think that we also need to begin the process of doing something broader.”
- Brad Spanbauer: “I think what Deputy Mayor [Buelow] brought forward was sort of intended to be broad and intended not to be so limited to things. And I can certainly understand where folks saw some loopholes there.”
- Joe Stephenson: “While I’m not going to say we’re going to copy and paste Appleton’s tonight, I made some notes on how we could probably do that,” said Stephenson.
Two council members opposed these restrictions in the first place. Paul Esslinger declined to support it after the police chief said only two council members had asked for input.
“I find it troubling that we’re again at this activity, and essentially no one’s even asked what you thought of it,” Esslinger said to Police Chief Dean Smith.
Smith wouldn’t share his opinion.
Mayor Matt Mugerauer also opposed the restriction, pointing instead to Green Bay as a model for ALPR technology, who has kept its Flock safety cameras and updated its ALPR governance policies. “I think there is another community doing it well,” he said.
What are ALPRs?
ALPR cameras take point-in-time photos of vehicle’s license plates as they drive by certain fixed cameras, giving law enforcement a tool to help track down criminals.
They’ve drawn criticism recently as people question whether it violates the Fourth Amendment, the right against unreasonable searches and seizures.
We asked the Oshkosh Police Department whether it supported this resolution, but it said it will not answer any questions on this topic.
When will Council decide?
Common Council will likely bring a new resolution forward at a meeting next month.
