A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Surveillance Technology Impact Report (STIR)

SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY IMPACT REPORT Department: Police Division or Unit (if applicable): CIS Submitted by: Commissioner Elow Date: 1/16/2025 Surveillance Technology: Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) 1. Describe how the proposed Surveillance Technology will work, including how it will collect Surveillance Data. Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) System is a computer-based system that utilizes special fixed cameras to take digital images of a license plate and/or motor vehicles. The ALPR System captures an infrared image of a license plate and converts it to a text file using Optical Character Recognition ("OCR") technology. The text file is compared to Vehicle of Interest (VOI) lists generated by law enforcement agencies, including the National Crime Information Center, Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, and the Cambridge Police Department, to search for a "hit" or potential match. The VOI lists include vehicles that have been stolen, vehicles associated with Amber Alerts, vehicles wanted in connection with specific crimes, and vehicles associated with, or that may assist with the identification of, suspects involved in criminal activity. 2. What is the purpose of the Surveillance Technology? The ALPR System is used for legitimate law enforcement purposes and the enhancement of public safety, such as providing information to officers that will assist in ongoing criminal investigations, crime prevention, the apprehension of wanted persons, ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals through the recovery of missing and endangered persons, and identifying and removing stolen motor vehicles. 3. Where will the Surveillance Technology be deployed? When? ALPR technology is to be deployed in various public spaces such as neighborhoods, city streets, and areas near schools or parks to enhance community safety. The technology will be installed at a fixed location and will not be mobile or affixed to a vehicle. The specific locations will vary based on public safety needs and crime trends throughout the city at the

time of deployment. Selected camera locations are planned to maximize effectiveness in monitoring traffic, bicycle safety, pedestrian safety, and assisting in crime prevention. 4. What privacy impact will the Surveillance Technology have? The ALPR System utilizes special fixed cameras that take digital images of a license plate and/or motor vehicle. Data available in the ALPR System also includes the time and geographic coordinates associated with the digital image that was captured. The ALPR cameras do not record video and/or audio and cannot be viewed in real time. Scanned data is retained for a period of thirty days and then automatically deleted. Data required for investigatory purposes, evidentiary purposes, by court order, or by law is retained as appropriate. All surveillance information is retained in accordance with the Massachusetts Statewide Records Retention Schedule. The ALPRs do not collect personal identifying information of the driver or registered owner of the vehicle. The technology does not employ facial recognition. ALPRs are not actively monitored but are viewed in response to an alert. The information taken from the ALPRs is used after the fact, only after a qualifying crime (e.g., homicide or shooting) and only when a legitimate investigative need exists. The Fourth Amendment rights of the community are not implicated because the ALPRs are physically deployed to view vehicles and license plates in public areas where the license plates and vehicles are exposed to public view. Because the cameras view data in public areas without a reasonable expectation of privacy, no search for purposes of the Fourth Amendment will take place. 5. What are the fiscal costs of Surveillance Technology, including initial costs, ongoing maintenance and personnel costs, and source of funds? The cost is approximately $3,000 per unit annually, with 15 - 20 units in the proposed deployment. That cost includes the hardware, software, and wireless data plan needed to operate the technologies. The technology would be funded in part or entirely by UASI. In City Council February 3, 2025. Adopted by a yea and nay vote:- Yeas ; 6 Nays 3; Absent 0. Attest:- Diane P. LeBlanc, City Clerk A true copy; ATTEST:- Diane P. LeBlanc City Clerk