Binghamton University adopting new license plate reader system with increased privacy safeguards

Binghamton University will transition this fall from the Flock Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) system to a new ALPR platform from Axon. Binghamton officials reviewed numerous systems and determined that the Axon platform best meets the University’s operational, technological, privacy, and financial needs.

The transition provides an opportunity to strengthen several aspects of how ALPR information is managed. The University will own its ALPR data and operate in an independent cloud environment. The system also isolates the University’s data from other jurisdictions and external agencies. Federal or other outside agencies will not have access to University ALPR data. That information would only be provided in response to a law enforcement request and through appropriate University Police processes.

The University will also reduce the amount of time ALPR information is retained. Data that is now retained for 30 days will be purged after 21 days in the new system.

“Our responsibility is to use the tools available to reduce risk, respond effectively when something happens, and help protect the people who live, work, study, and visit our campus," said JoAnn Navarro, vice president for operations. “Our commitment is to use technology where it provides a clear public-safety benefit, while putting appropriate policies, safeguards, and oversight in place to protect privacy and maintain the trust of our campus community.”

The ALPR system is not intended to monitor anyone simply because they are coming to or leaving campus. Its value is in helping University Police respond to specific public-safety concerns and investigations.

University Police are focused on maintaining a safe campus environment for Binghamton University’s students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

“Keeping the campus safe requires more than any single approach,” Navarro said. “Police and our campus-safety partners use a combination of trained personnel, policies, procedures, physical security measures, emergency preparedness, and technology to prevent incidents, respond effectively when they occur, and assist with investigations.”

Some examples of technology now in use include body-worn cameras, which document police interactions and promote transparency and accountability; drones, which can be used during large-scale gatherings and events to assist with traffic management and participant safety; and video systems, which can provide information when investigating crimes involving people or property. This technology includes ALPR technology at campus entrances and exits. Binghamton University implemented ALPR in 2023.

ALPR technology does not replace officers, security cameras, emergency communications, investigations, access-control systems, or other daily measures used to protect the campus community, police said. ALPR allows University Police, when needed, to identify vehicles while assisting in investigations involving vehicles that may be connected to a public-safety concern.

Over the past two years, ALPR technology has assisted in:

• Hit-and-run investigations, helping officers identify or locate vehicles associated with an incident.
• Protective or restraining order investigations, including situations in which officers need to determine whether a vehicle associated with an individual subject to an order has entered campus.
• Criminal investigations, providing investigators with information about vehicles that may be connected to an incident.
• Missing-person or endangered-person investigations, in which information about a vehicle can help officers determine where someone may have traveled or assist in locating them more quickly.
• Alerting officers when stolen or suspicious vehicles associated with a public safety concern enter or leave campus.

Binghamton University recognizes that technologies capable of collecting vehicle data can raise questions about privacy, data retention, access, and the appropriate use of that information. The University is always working to balance safety and privacy.

University officials added that Binghamton will continue to review policies, procedures, and technology as systems evolve and as expectations regarding privacy, security, and responsible use of information continue to develop.