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Automatic License Plate Reader Ordinance

At a glance

  • What: Proposed ordinance to establish regulatory framework governing Police Department's use of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems; would govern use, access, retention, sharing, training, security and auditing of ALPR data.
  • Where it stands: Public hearing scheduled; hearing rescheduled pending updated amendments.
  • Status: Pending amendments; hearing to be rescheduled.

The proposal

Ordinance to amend Chapter 2.10 of Salt Lake City Code pertaining to regulation of Police Department's use of ALPR systems, establishing:

  • Use protocols
  • Access controls
  • Data retention policies
  • Data sharing restrictions
  • Staff training requirements
  • Security measures
  • Auditing procedures

Timeline

  • Briefing: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
  • Public hearing date set: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
  • Originally scheduled hearing: TBD (held September 15, 2026)
  • Hearing rescheduled: Date to be determined (pending updated amendments)
  • Tentative Council action: Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Public comment (five speakers opposed)

All speakers expressed concerns about ALPR systems and requested Council to establish strong oversight:

  • MJ Powell: Opposed expansion of police surveillance technology; cited concerns about data misuse and vendor or federal access; requested additional public safeguards.
  • Val Belokon: Opposed ALPR; cited concerns about privacy, potential misuse and whether current safeguards and enforcement mechanisms would prevent abuse.
  • Brennon Rosen: Opposed ALPR; cited concerns about surveillance, privacy and insufficient public benefit.
  • En Canada (Wasatch Assembly): Opposed ALPR and additional police spending; encouraged greater investment in alternative social services.

Council action

  • Motion to close public hearing and defer action to future date for updated amendments (public hearing item B.7, deferred).
  • Status: No vote taken; rescheduled pending amendments.

Sources

Log

2026-09-15 - City Council Formal Meeting

Public hearing rescheduled to future date pending updated amendments; five speakers opposed the proposal citing surveillance and privacy concerns.

2026-06-16 - City Council Work Session

Budget straw poll to accept and use a subgrant for automatic license plate readers, reducing line item 25 by 50,000 dollars and funding as in the Mayor's budget: 6-1 (Petro opposed). A related 50,000 dollar camera reduction moved into the property tax proposal passed 6-1 (Carlsen opposed). Details on Fiscal Year 2026-27 City Budget. The Council also agreed to keep a Council-led FY27 Privacy Ordinance legislative intent open and asked for a review to establish best practices for all data collected.

2026-06-16 - LBA, CRA and Council Formal Meeting

During the grant hearings Olive Peterson Jacoby asked the Council to oppose any legislation that included automatic police technology, citing civil rights and effectiveness concerns.