Kehoe signs order establishing safeguards for license plate readers

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an executive order Wednesday establishing statewide safeguards for the use of automated license plate readers, including Flock Safety cameras.

Executive Order 26-18 directs the Missouri Department of Public Safety to create standards for state agencies and state-funded local law enforcement agencies using the technology.

Automated license plate readers capture license plate numbers and vehicle information as motorists travel on public roads. Law enforcement agencies use the data during criminal investigations, to recover stolen vehicles and to locate missing or endangered people.

Kehoe said the technology can benefit law enforcement but raises concerns about the collection and storage of location data belonging to people who are not suspected of crimes.

“The government should not be building a permanent record of where law-abiding Missourians go, who they visit or how they live their daily lives,” Kehoe said.

Until the Missouri General Assembly creates a permanent legal framework, the order requires:

* Most license plate and vehicle data to be permanently deleted within 30 days.
* Vendors to be prohibited from selling, sharing or commercializing data generated in Missouri.
* The technology to be used only for legitimate criminal justice and lifesaving purposes.
* Accountability measures intended to prevent and penalize misuse.
* A ban on integrating artificial intelligence facial recognition technology with license plate reader systems.

Misuse of the technology could lead to disciplinary proceedings, criminal referrals and reports to the Department of Public Safety for possible officer license discipline or revocation.

Local agencies not covered by the order are encouraged to follow the standards when allowed under existing contracts and laws.

Additional information is available through Governor Kehoe Signs Executive Order Establishing Safeguards on Automated License Plate Readers | Governor Mike Kehoe.