I founded PlateSmart about 15 years ago to advance automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) as a crime-fighting tool.

We were the first LPR company to employ Artificial Intelligence (AI), Object Recognition and Analytics.

I wanted to help law enforcement officers (LEOs) do their jobs more safely.

I also wanted business owners to be able to keep their patrons and employees safer. In both cases, forewarned is forearmed.

In the early days of the business, I was a vocal proponent of ALPR and its legal standing regarding privacy and the Fourth Amendment.

I think much has changed since then, and it’s clear we as an industry need to be more involved in conversations about technology and privacy.

We have to be more honest about the technology and what it can — and should — do.

And we must also come together and agree on best practices concerning ALPR.

Privacy advocates such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), have expressed legitimate concerns how the tech is being used, but the industry has yet to address these concerns in a way that can help alleviate them.

I’ve also seen some in our industry make claims about their products that are questionable at best.

Consider accuracy rates, which can easily be artificially inflated in a controlled laboratory environment.

I’ve seen some claims, for instance, of 99% accuracy and higher, which might be accurate in a lab however, put the product out in the real world, and these rates drop dramatically.

Since there are no industry standards or governing bodies dictating how ALPR performance claims (such as accuracy) must be tested — to ensure customers are comparing apples to apples — some have taken advantage.

Having said all of this, let me start the discussion.

First, we at PlateSmart are very focused on data privacy. That has always been true.

From our perspective, our customers own the data our software helps them gather and analyze. It’s their property.

As such, PlateSmart doesn’t compile or sell it as some in our industry have or might be planning to do, building entire revenue models around the sale of the data.

I think everyone in the industry should follow suit.

PlateSmart has always been a proponent of never touching our customers’ data without their express permission.

Even then, we only use it only for the purposes of advancing the ALPR technology, after which we destroy it.

Which brings me to the topic of data retention.

We at PlateSmart are all for:

1. Customers in both the public and private sectors adopting official data retention policies, and,

2. Having those policies stipulate that the data can only be retained as long as absolutely necessary.

Ultimately, we believe it’s up to state legislatures to determine retention policies.

In lieu of that, it is up the customer to set sensible policies that don’t infringe upon personal privacy.

For instance, many states that have adopted ALPR data retention statutes for law enforcement have said that the data must be destroyed after a certain period of time unless it’s part of an ongoing investigation, after which the data must then be destroyed in short order.

It’s my position that the only reason to hold ALPR data for an extended period is for ongoing investigations.

Again, though, it’s up to legislators to put laws into effect governing the retention of the data.

To summarize, I believe it’s time for the industry to come together to address the issues that affect us all.

We must contribute our expertise to that of privacy advocates such as the ACLU and EFF in encouraging responsible policymaking and truth in advertising.

We are in an age in which technology is advancing faster than regulatory bodies can keep up.

But it’s also a time in which it could be argued that there are other technologies far more invasive than ALPR.

In short, the technological genie is out of the bottle, and along with it a variety of false claims and questionable behavior.

Unless we weigh in on the matters concerning ALPR, others will do it for us, and restrictions will grow ever tighter.

One only has to look at California and its new consumer privacy laws, bans on certain technologies such as facial recognition and bans or restrictions on ALPR.

(California lawmakers are considering legislation that would limit its use by law enforcement. Courtesy of CBS 8 San Diego and YouTube. Posted on Jun 11, 2019.)

Without our contributions, I believe such policies will only spread.

I look forward to hearing what all of you — from competitors to channel partners to end users — have to say.

I hope the response is strong.

If not, I’ll still be here, banging the drum. Someone has to.

About the Author

John Chigos’s clear vision and passion for the safety of law enforcement officers and members of military has driven him to build the most accurate and versatile license plate recognition technology available.

John has vast experience in strategic business development, management, and financial strategies, and received a B.A. in Psychology from University of Hartford, a J.D. from Western New England Law School and an MBA from University of Hartford.

He can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-chigos/.

PlateSmart to Compete in Fourth Consecutive ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program

PlateSmart Technologies

• Best License Plate Recognition System

• ARES ALPR-based Video Analytics

• *PlateSmart was also recognized in the 2017 and 2016 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Programs

Having secured Top Placement Awards in Three Consecutive Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Programs, PlateSmart Technologies is pleased to announce they have been nominated to compete in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Desktop Alert.

Limited Time Only – Nominations are still open for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

Good luck to N2WS on becoming a Winner in the 2019 American Security Today’s Homeland Security Awards Program!

The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program drew an overwhelming response from industry leaders with a record high number of corporate and government nominations received, as well as record breaking ‘ASTORS’ Presentation Luncheon Attendees, with top firms trying to register for the exclusive high – end luncheon and networking opportunity – right up to the event kickoff on Wednesday afternoon, at the ISC East registration!

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.

Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

• The Department of Homeland Security
• The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
• Argonne National Laboratory
• The Department of Homeland Security
• The Department of Justice
• The Security Exchange Commission Office of Personnel Management
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Viasat, Hanwha Techwin, Lenel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., BriefCam, Pivot3, Milestone Systems, Allied Universal, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

2018 Champions Edition

See the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Champions Edition – ‘Best Products of 2018 ‘ Year in Review’ for in-depth coverage of the outstanding products and services of firms receiving American Security Today’s 2018‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards.’

Enter Early to Maximize Media Coverage of your Products and Services at Kickoff, and Get the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!

And be sure to Register Early for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East 2019 to ensure your place at this limited- space event!

Why the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?

American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’

Why American Security Today?

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 70,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.

The old traditional security marketplace has been covered by a host of security publications that have changed little over many years.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that provides our readers with solutions to their challenges.

Our Editorial staff provides a full plate of topics for our AST monthly digital editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts.

The editorial calendar and AST’s high drawing website features 23 different Technology and Marketing Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities and Emergency Response among others.

These sectors are part of the new integration, where these major applications communicate with one another in a variety of solutions to protect our cities and critical infrastructure.

AST has Expanded readership into vital Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other Potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – enticing targets for extremist or lone wolf attacks due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

To learn more about PlateSmart Technologies and ARES, go to https://www.platesmart.com/ares/ or visit the companies website at https://www.platesmart.com/.

It’s Gold for PlateSmart with Milestone & Platinum in the ‘ASTORS’