# ALPR Maps - Complete Documentation > Open-source surveillance transparency platform for the United States --- ## What is ALPR Maps? ALPR Maps is a community-driven project that maps automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras across the United States. We help citizens understand surveillance in their communities and exercise their legal rights to access and control their data. ### Key Features 1. **Interactive Camera Map** - Crowdsourced database of Flock Safety and ALPR camera locations 2. **FOIA Request Generator** - Free tool to create legally-compliant public records requests 3. **HOA Safe List Letters** - Templates to request inclusion on neighborhood camera whitelists 4. **Privacy Route Planner** - Navigate while minimizing surveillance camera exposure 5. **Boycott Letter Generator** - Express concerns to businesses using surveillance technology --- ## Understanding ALPR Surveillance ### What are ALPR Cameras? Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras capture images of every passing vehicle's license plate, storing the date, time, and location. These systems create comprehensive databases of vehicle movements that can be retained for months or years. ### How ALPR Works 1. High-speed cameras capture license plate images 2. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) extracts plate numbers 3. Data is timestamped with GPS coordinates 4. Information is stored in searchable databases 5. Plates can be cross-referenced against watchlists ### Who Uses ALPR? - **Law Enforcement**: Police departments, sheriff's offices, federal agencies - **Private Companies**: Flock Safety, Vigilant Solutions, Motorola Solutions - **HOAs**: Neighborhood associations for "security" - **Businesses**: Shopping centers, parking lots, private property - **Toll Operators**: Automated toll collection systems --- ## Flock Safety Overview Flock Safety is the largest private ALPR company in the United States. Founded in 2017, they provide camera systems to: - Over 5,000 cities and law enforcement agencies - Thousands of HOAs and neighborhood associations - Private businesses and commercial properties ### Flock Safety Technology - **Solar-powered cameras**: Self-sufficient units requiring minimal infrastructure - **Vehicle Fingerprint**: Captures make, model, color, and distinguishing features - **Real-time alerts**: Instant notifications for plates on watchlists - **Network effect**: Cameras share data across jurisdictions ### Privacy Concerns - No warrant required for law enforcement access - Data shared across thousands of agencies nationwide - Limited oversight and accountability - Minimal transparency about deployment locations - Retention periods vary from 30 days to indefinite --- ## Your Legal Rights ### Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) The federal Freedom of Information Act and state equivalents give citizens the right to request government records, including: - ALPR data about their own vehicles - Camera deployment locations - Data retention policies - Data sharing agreements - Audit logs of who accessed your data ### State-by-State Public Records Laws Each state has its own public records law with specific requirements: | State | Law Name | Response Time | Extension | |-------|----------|---------------|-----------| | California | California Public Records Act | 10 days | 14 days | | Texas | Texas Public Information Act | 10 business days | Varies | | Florida | Florida Sunshine Law | Prompt | Reasonable | | New York | Freedom of Information Law | 5 business days | 20 days | | Illinois | Freedom of Information Act | 5 business days | 5 days | ### Your Rights Include 1. **Right to Access**: Request your own surveillance data 2. **Right to Know**: Learn where cameras are deployed 3. **Right to Correct**: Challenge inaccurate data 4. **Right to Delete**: Request data removal (in some jurisdictions) 5. **Right to Opt-Out**: Request HOA safe list inclusion --- ## Data Retention Policies ALPR data retention varies significantly by jurisdiction: ### Common Retention Periods - **30 days**: Minimum common retention - **90 days**: Many law enforcement agencies - **1 year**: Some state databases - **5+ years**: Some agencies with no limits - **Indefinite**: Some private companies ### Why Retention Matters Long retention periods mean: - Years of location history on file - Pattern-of-life data accumulation - Potential for retroactive surveillance - Increased risk of data breaches ### Catching Violations File FOIA requests for data older than the stated retention period. If they have data they shouldn't, this reveals policy violations. --- ## Using ALPR Maps Tools ### 1. Camera Map Our interactive map shows crowdsourced ALPR camera locations: - **View locations**: Pan and zoom to find cameras - **Add cameras**: Contribute locations you discover - **Verify cameras**: Vote on accuracy of reported locations - **Filter by type**: Flock, Vigilant, police, HOA, etc. ### 2. FOIA Request Generator Generate legally-compliant public records requests: 1. Enter your location (city, state) 2. Provide vehicle information (license plate) 3. Select request type (data access, policy documents, etc.) 4. Download or copy your completed letter 5. Send via mail, email, or online portal ### 3. HOA Safe List Letters Request whitelisting from HOA surveillance: 1. Enter your HOA or neighborhood name 2. Provide your vehicle details 3. Generate a formal request letter 4. Submit to your HOA board ### 4. Privacy Route Planner Plan routes minimizing camera exposure: 1. Enter origin and destination 2. View standard route with camera overlay 3. See alternative privacy-conscious routes 4. Compare camera exposure between options ### 5. Boycott Letter Generator Express concerns to surveillance-using businesses: 1. Enter business name and location 2. Select your concerns 3. Generate a professional letter 4. Send to business management --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is ALPR surveillance? Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras capture images of vehicle license plates and may store them in databases, creating records of vehicle locations over time. ### Is filing a public records request legal? Yes. The Freedom of Information Act and state public records laws give citizens the legal right to request certain government records, which may include surveillance data about themselves. ### How long do agencies keep ALPR data? Retention periods vary by jurisdiction, typically ranging from 30 days to several years. Each agency should have published retention policies. ### What is Flock Safety? Flock Safety is a private company that provides ALPR camera systems to law enforcement agencies, HOAs, and businesses across the United States. ### Can I opt out of Flock surveillance? You cannot completely opt out of public surveillance, but you can minimize exposure through HOA safe lists, FOIA requests for data deletion, and route planning. ### Is ALPR Maps free? Yes, our core tools including the camera map and document generators are free. We believe privacy awareness should be accessible to everyone. ### How accurate is the camera map? Locations are community-contributed and verified through voting. Accuracy varies, but high-vote locations are generally reliable. ### What if my FOIA request is denied? Most states have appeal processes. The denial must cite specific exemptions. Our letters reference relevant laws to minimize improper denials. --- ## State Resources ### Alabama - **Law**: Alabama Open Records Act - **Statute**: Ala. Code § 36-12-40 - **Response Time**: Reasonable time - **Agency**: Office of the Attorney General ### California - **Law**: California Public Records Act - **Statute**: Cal. Gov. Code § 6250-6270 - **Response Time**: 10 days - **Agency**: Each agency's records custodian ### Florida - **Law**: Florida Sunshine Law - **Statute**: Fla. Stat. § 119 - **Response Time**: Prompt response required - **Agency**: Office of Open Government ### Texas - **Law**: Texas Public Information Act - **Statute**: Tex. Gov. Code § 552 - **Response Time**: 10 business days - **Agency**: Office of the Attorney General ### New York - **Law**: Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) - **Statute**: N.Y. Pub. Off. Law § 84-90 - **Response Time**: 5 business days - **Agency**: Committee on Open Government --- ## About ALPR Maps ### Our Mission Map surveillance infrastructure to promote transparency and help citizens understand the scope of automated license plate reader deployment. ### Community Driven Built by privacy advocates, powered by community contributions. Anyone can add camera locations—no account required. ### Transparency We believe citizens have a right to know where surveillance cameras are located in their communities. ### Free & Open Our map and tools are free to use. Privacy awareness should be accessible to everyone. ### Disclaimer ALPR Maps is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Flock Safety, Inc. or any other ALPR manufacturer. "Flock Safety" is a trademark of Flock Safety, Inc. This is an independent, community-driven project for educational and transparency purposes. --- ## Contact & Legal - **Website**: https://alprmaps.com - **Twitter**: @ALPRMaps - **Location**: United States ### Legal Notices All tools generate template documents for informational purposes. Users should verify legal requirements for their specific jurisdiction. This is not legal advice. --- ## Technical Specifications ### Data Sources - Community contributions (primary) - Public records and news reports - Government transparency portals ### Update Frequency - Map data: Real-time contributions - Static content: Weekly updates - Legal information: Monthly review ### API Access Contact us for bulk data access or API integration.