Automated License Plate Reading (ALPR) cameras capture images of vehicles as they travel through town. ALPR cameras do not have video capabilities and are designed to take photographs of license plates. These cameras are a highly effective tool for police investigations, particularly in cases such as hit-and-run accidents, retail thefts, or other criminal incidents where a suspect leaves the scene in a vehicle. In addition to criminal investigations, ALPR cameras are an extremely effective tool for law enforcement when attempting to locate missing or endangered individuals traveling by vehicle. Police officers may only access ALPR data when actively investigating a crime and are required to enter a related case number into the ALPR system before conducting any vehicle searches. Lincolnshire Police have access to ALPR cameras located in neighboring towns.
Are ALPR Cameras everywhere in Lincolnshire?
The Lincolnshire Police Department currently has eight ALPR cameras installed and operating within its jurisdiction. These cameras are strategically placed in high-traffic areas and at key entry/exit points throughout the Village. The current camera locations are:
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Half Day Road at Westminster Way (westbound)
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Half Day Road at Riverwoods Road (eastbound)
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Half Day Road at Millbrook Drive (eastbound)
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Half Day Road at Apple Hill Road (westbound)
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Riverwoods Road at Everett Road (southbound)
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Milwaukee Avenue at Half Day Road (northbound)
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Milwaukee Avenue at Aptakisic Road (northbound)
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Milwaukee Avenue at Aptakisic Road (southbound)
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Is ALPR data sold?
There is no database from which license plate data is sold. The Lincolnshire Police Department contracts its ALPR camera system through a third-party vendor. Only authorized customers have access to the data collected by these cameras, and access is strictly controlled.
All ALPR data is automatically deleted after the retention period of 30 days. ALPR vendor explicitly states it does not sell data retained by the Police Department. Customers retain full ownership of their data, and the third-party vendor will never sell or share that data with third parties. Access to the data is determined solely by the designated supervisors of the Police Department.
All footage and metadata is encrypted throughout its entire lifecycle, from on-device to storage in the cloud. ALPR vendor uses Amazon Web Services cloud storage and KMS-based encryption, limiting access to the encryption keys. All Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) data is stored in the AWS GovCloud and is only available to Law Enforcement agencies. No CJIS data is shared with non-Law Enforcement ALPR vendor customers.
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Can ALPR cameras be used for immigration enforcement or reproductive health care?
The Lincolnshire Police Department does not participate in immigration enforcement. Illinois law prohibits local law enforcement agencies from engaging in civil immigration enforcement activities. Illinois law states a law enforcement official shall not stop, arrest, search, detain, or continue to detain any individual solely on the basis of that individual’s citizenship or immigration status.
Additionally, under Illinois law, ALPR users cannot sell, share, allow access to, or transfer ALPR information to any state or local jurisdiction for the purpose of investigating or enforcing a law that denies or interferes with a person's right to choose or obtain reproductive health care services or any lawful health care services as defined by the Lawful Health Care Activity Act
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Do ALPR cameras cost taxpayers more money?
ALPR cameras are likely saving taxpayers money. Each year, the Lincolnshire Police Department handles thousands of cases, many of which require officers to spend significant time reviewing surveillance footage, conducting interviews, and using other investigative techniques. ALPR cameras can substantially reduce the amount of time officers spend on a case by quickly identifying suspect vehicles.
This increased efficiency reduces the hours required per investigation, which in turn lowers personnel costs related to salary and overtime. In the 21st century, the volume of digital information involved in criminal investigations has made cases more complex and time-consuming. ALPR technology has already saved thousands of dollars in overtime costs in investigations involving retail thefts, hit-and-run accidents, fleeing-to-elude incidents, and missing persons cases.
When used responsibly, ethically, and efficiently, ALPR technology represents a prudent and effective use of taxpayer funding.
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Are ALPR cameras in my neighborhood?
The Village of Lincolnshire does not have any ALPR cameras located in residential neighborhoods. All village-operated ALPR cameras are installed on major arterial roadways with high traffic volume. Private Homeowners Associations, however, may choose to install ALPR cameras within their neighborhoods.
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Are residents’ tracked for movements to establish a routine for individuals?
The Lincolnshire Police Department is not building patterns of routes or movements of individuals. ALPR technology is used solely for official law enforcement purposes, including identifying stolen or wanted vehicles, locating missing persons, and investigating other crimes, in a manner consistent with state and federal laws protecting civil rights and privacy.
Use of the ALPR system is strictly limited to authorized personnel for lawful purposes only. Department personnel are prohibited from using, or allowing others to use, the system or its data for any unauthorized purpose.
ALPR data is automatically purged after 30 days unless it has become, or is reasonably expected to become, evidence in a criminal or civil case. In those instances, the relevant data is retained and transferred to appropriate evidence storage in accordance with Department procedures.
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Do ALPR cameras make mistakes?
Not all license plates are accurately captured by ALPR cameras due to factors such as the angle of the plate relative to the camera or something obstructing the view of the license plate. An ALPR “hit” alone does not establish probable cause and shall not be used by itself to initiate a traffic stop or other enforcement action. Enforcement action is authorized only after the hit has been confirmed by an officer or dispatch.
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*Success Stories*
July 19, 2026 - Officers were dispatched to a residence for a report of a suspicious subject who was on the complainant's property without permission. Shortly before the call, officers received an ALPR alert indicating a Ford Focus was displaying a stolen registration plate belonging to a Chevrolet Equinox. Upon arrival at the residence, officers located the Ford Focus parked in the driveway and made contact with the driver. During the investigation, officers determined the driver was operating the vehicle with a revoked Illinois driver's license, was uninsured, and was displaying the stolen registration plate. The driver was cited for Driving While License Revoked, Improper Use of Registration, Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and Theft.
July 4, 2026 - Officers were dispatched to a traffic-related altercation on Milwaukee Avenue near Marriott Drive. The complainant, who was operating a motorcycle, reported the driver of a silver Lexus displayed a firearm during the road rage incident. Officers utilized ALPR cameras to identify the suspect vehicle. During the investigation, the driver of the silver Lexus denied displaying the firearm at the motorcyclist, but admitted to being in possession of a firearm at the time of the incident. The investigation remains ongoing.