Lawmakers Stoke License Plate Reader Debate
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — State lawmakers and data privacy advocates are gearing up to crack down on how police use license plate readers.
The tiny cameras are usually mounted on squad cars, sucking up when and where a car was last spotted and checking it against a database of wanted vehicles. But regulations have eluded legislators for two years due to a disagreement with law enforcement about how long they should be able to keep records.
A panel of lawmakers on Monday set the stage for how the issue will play out in 2015. They want a law that bans police from keeping any data that's not connected to an investigation or wanted person.
Inspector Mark Wiegel of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office says they want to keep records for 180 days.
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