By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• The Snohomish County (Washington) Sheriff’s Office has deactivated its automatic license plate reader (ALPR) system after the state enacted a new privacy law.
• The change affects how the agency collects and stores data from vehicles in its jurisdiction.
• Sheriff’s officials said they remain committed to public safety but must comply with legal requirements.
• The law restricts collection, retention, and use of vehicle tracking data by law enforcement agencies.
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WA — The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office announced it has deactivated its automatic license plate reader (ALPR) system following the passage of a new Washington state privacy law that restricts law enforcement’s collection and handling of vehicle data.
Sheriff’s office officials said the move complies with provisions of the legislation — Senate Bill 5377 — which limits the use, storage, and sharing of ALPR information collected from public roads and parking facilities.
The agency had previously used ALPR technology to scan license plates and compare them against databases to assist in investigations and locate stolen vehicles, but officials said the system is now offline as the department reviews how to align practices with the legal requirements.
Sheriff Adam Fortney said deputies remain focused on public safety and that the agency will “continue to look at technology and practices that support our mission while being lawful and respectful of privacy.”
State lawmakers passed the privacy law in response to concerns about how long ALPR data is stored and who can access it, setting new limits on retention periods and use of automated tracking systems.