QuickTake:

The policy recommendation, which came from the citizens’ advisory Police Commission, concerned which police agencies may directly access data identifying vehicles.

Eugene police have adopted a policy change affecting the sharing of data captured by license-plate readers, limiting direct access only to other law enforcement agencies in Lane County.

But other police agencies are not shut out completely. They may request data, with consideration given on a case-by-case basis. For each request, Eugene police must “verify it has a legitimate law enforcement purpose that is also compliant with applicable laws.”

The change, adopted Tuesday, Nov. 25, follows a Nov. 13 recommendation from the Police Commission, a citizens’ advisory group.

Previously, police agencies throughout the state could access the data, Eugene police leaders have said.

The policy change comes even as use of the pole-mounted cameras remains paused after a unanimous vote by the City Council in October. 

The revised policy states that only Lane County agencies with “a valid data-sharing agreement” — to include reciprocal data sharing — will be able to directly search or access data collected by Eugene’s cameras.

The cameras, mounted at various street intersections, capture snapshot images of vehicle license plates. Police can match the data with “hot lists” of suspect vehicles or vehicles of missing persons, receiving alerts that give the time and location of when such a vehicle passes by a camera.

But in voting to pause the use of some 57 cameras installed beginning in May, city councilors responded to citizen outcry about how the technology might be used against vulnerable populations.

Citizens opposed to the technology often referred to concerns that the data might be used by federal agencies for immigration enforcement or to track persons seeking abortions, for example.

The revised policy specifically states that automated license-plate reader data, or ALPR data, “shall not be used for the purpose of immigration enforcement (ORS 181A.820) or out-of-state abortion prosecutions,” a reference to what’s commonly referred to as the state’s sanctuary law.

State law generally prohibits local and state police from assisting with immigration enforcement unless directed by a judicial warrant. Oregon’s sanctuary law does not, however, prohibit federal officers from arresting people on immigration violations.

The revised policy also:

  • Prohibits the tracking of vehicles going to and from health care facilities. The revised policy states: “Without another clearly articulated nexus to activity that is or would be a crime in the State of Oregon, ALPR data shall not be used to specifically target or track the movement of vehicles traveling to or from health care facilities, including but not limited to hospitals, clinics, mental health providers, and reproductive health care centers.” 
  • Adds prohibitions against monitoring “expressive activities” protected by the First Amendment and tracking individuals “based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.”