License Plate Readers Vandalized Across 36 US States

By Staff, Agencies

License plate readers used by US police to monitor vehicle movements have been vandalized in at least 36 states, according to an NPR report citing an analysis of local media coverage.

The cameras have reportedly been stolen, damaged, cut down, rammed with vehicles, covered in paint or stickers, and in some cases, shot at.

The incidents reflect growing opposition to automated surveillance systems that allow authorities to track where vehicles are located at specific times.

More than 130,000 automatic license plate readers have reportedly been installed across the United States. The systems capture license plates and collect data that police can use to identify and locate vehicles.

Critics warn that the technology can create detailed records of motorists' movements and potentially enable authorities to monitor large numbers of people who are not suspected of wrongdoing.

Unlike conventional surveillance cameras, license plate readers are specifically designed to identify vehicles, allowing authorities to search for particular license plates and determine where and when a vehicle was recorded.

The reported vandalism, ranging from obstructing cameras to destroying them, reflects a broader backlash over privacy concerns and the expanding use of automated surveillance by US law enforcement.