Washington State's New Privacy Law Halts License Plate Readers
Spokane News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · The Daily News Now!
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Spokane County Sheriffs Office to Discontinue License Plate Reader Systems Due to New Privacy Law
The Spokane County Sheriffs Office has announced it will shut down its automated license plate reader systems due to a new Washington state privacy law. The law, signed by Governor Bob Ferguson, sets strict rules on how law enforcement can use these cameras, store data, and share it. The sheriffs team claims they cannot operate within the laws parameters.
The new law was prompted by an October report from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights, which revealed that federal agents had used these cameras to target immigrants for traffic stops. The law aims to prevent such misuse while still allowing the use of these tools for serious crimes like felonies, stolen cars, and missing persons cases.
The sheriffs office is criticizing the law, calling it overly strict and potentially putting deputies at risk of gross misdemeanor charges. They argue that the law weakens public safety by limiting a crucial tool for tracking criminals. Sheriff John Nowels believes that lawmakers did not fully understand how the technology works in practice.
The law allows agencies to keep data for a maximum of 21 days, unless its for major investigations or traffic-related matters. It also prohibits the use of data for immigration checks, near health clinics, or tracking protected protests. Additionally, every agency must have a clear policy and submit yearly reports starting December 1, 2027.
Sheriff Nowels plans to work with legislators and other law enforcement agencies to amend the rules and find a solution that maintains public safety without legal complications. They are already exploring ways to adapt within the new limitations.
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