Oklahoma Lawmaker Questions Legality Of License Plate Reading Cameras, Following Court Ruling

A Green Country state representative is raising concerns about the legality of license plate reading cameras after a recent court ruling that could put dozens of arrests made with the help of these cameras in jeopardy.

State Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, points to a ruling from a McClain County judge, who determined that evidence gathered by the cameras in a felony traffic stop violated state law.

Gann referenced an Oklahoma law that states license plate information "shall not be used by any individual or agency for purposes other than enforcement of the Compulsory Insurance Law."

"We're not denying that what they're doing with it is good, it's just not lawful," said Gann.

License plate reading cameras, used by law enforcement agencies and even some homeowner associations, capture plate information that is then shared with law enforcement across the country.

Police say the technology has been a valuable tool in solving crimes.

Deputy Chief Todd Enzbrenner of Sand Springs Police said the cameras have been a game changer for his department.

"Within the first six months, we recovered 18 stolen vehicles, recovered lots of drugs, lots of money—the value of the property that we recovered, not just stolen cars, is over $300,000."

Despite their usefulness, Gann believes law enforcement should proceed with caution when using the information gathered by the cameras until the law is clarified.

"Nothing is going anywhere until we have those protections in place and that we recognize that people's 4th Amendment privacy rights can be violated in the use of these cameras," said Gann.

The Sand Springs Police Department currently has seven license plate reading cameras in use and plans to continue using them unless directed otherwise by the courts.

“There’s definitely some legal issues there, but until the courts tell us we have to stop, we’re going to continue to use them,” said Deputy Chief Enzbrenner.

Gann is leading a legislative study on the use of license plate reading cameras next week at the State Capitol.

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