MEDIA RELEASE
SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT
September 26, 2025
Automated License Plate Reader Cameras Installed
Springfield, OR – The Springfield Police Department has installed Automated License Plate
Reader (ALPR) cameras as part of a grant-funded retail theft prevention initiative.
The cameras have been installed to meet the grant funding deadline but are not yet activated.
As part of the installation process, the cameras were briefly turned on for calibration and
validation, which is reflected on the Transparency Portal. This process includes adjusting
angles, testing transmission, and confirming signal and solar power. Once each site is verified,
the cameras are deactivated until a broader community discussion takes place. As installation
continues, vehicle counts on the Transparency Portal may temporarily increase due to these
calibration periods.
The Springfield Police Department has prepared additional information in the form of a
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, attached to this release, to help address
community questions before the system becomes active.
Community members can review details about the program, including the departmental policy,
camera locations, and the City’s transparency portal, at the following links:
- Transparency Portal: Flock Safety Transparency – Springfield
- Camera Location Map: View Map
- ALPR Policy: View Policy
More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
Media Contact:
Public Information Coordinator
Springfield Police Department
spdpi@springfield-or.gov
FAQs: Springfield Police Department ALPR Cameras
Q: Why is Springfield installing ALPR cameras?
A: The cameras are part of a retail theft prevention program funded by a grant from the Oregon
Criminal Justice Commission. They are intended to help investigate retail theft and related crimes by
monitoring major ingress, egress, and commercial corridors
Q: How many cameras are being installed and where?
A: 25 cameras are being deployed across Springfield, strategically placed on major roadways and
commercial areas. A full map of camera locations is available here.
Q: Are the cameras active?
A: No. The cameras have been installed to meet the grant deadline but have not yet been activated. SPD
will provide additional information before they go live.
Q: What data do the cameras capture?
A: Cameras capture images of license plates and associated vehicle characteristics (body type, color,
travel direction). They do not collect personally identifiable information, such as driver’s name or
address.
Q: How long is data kept?
A: Data is retained for 30 days unless tied to an active investigation, after which it is automatically
purged.
Q: Who has access to the data?
A: SPD owns the data. Requests from other agencies must be reviewed and approved by SPD. Federal
agencies are excluded from access unless ordered by a court.
Q: Can this technology be used for immigration enforcement?
A: No. Contractual safeguards and technical filters prevent use of Springfield’s ALPR data for
immigration enforcement or reproductive health investigations
Q: What is the annual cost of the ALPR camera program, and how is it being funded?
A: The annual cost for the 25 cameras is $77,000. Grant funds currently cover these costs through
2027.
Q: What safeguards exist against misuse?
A: All access to data is logged and subject to SPD review. SPD policy requires officers to confirm any
automated alert with a secondary check before taking enforcement action.
