Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) in Fairfield


The Fairfield Police Department utilizes Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras at locations throughout town to help locate stolen vehicles, support missing-person alerts, and provide objective evidence after crimes. Access to ALPR data is strictly limited to legitimate law-enforcement purposes. Consistent with the Connecticut TRUST Act, we do not use or share ALPR data for civil immigration enforcement.

How ALPR Works


ALPR cameras capture images of license plates on vehicles traveling within the camera's field of view. The system converts the plate image into searchable data and records information such as the date, time, location, and identifiable characteristics of the vehicle. This information can then be compared against law enforcement hot lists or searched by authorized personnel for a legitimate law enforcement purpose.

An ALPR alert does not independently establish that a crime has occurred or provide automatic authority for enforcement action. Alerts must be verified by an officer.

What's Detected
Vehicle registration plates and identifiable vehicle characteristics, including vehicle make, type, color, and bumper stickers.
What's Not Detected
Facial recognition, people, gender, or race.
Acceptable Use Policy
ALPR data may only be accessed and used for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Authorized uses include criminal investigations; locating stolen vehicles or license plates, wanted persons, and missing or endangered persons; investigating serious or fatal crashes and evading-responsibility cases; and other authorized public-safety purposes.
Prohibited Uses
ALPR systems and data may not be used for personal purposes, harassment or intimidation, to target individuals based solely on a protected characteristic, or to knowingly infringe upon constitutionally protected First Amendment rights. Policy also restricts the use of ALPR data for civil immigration matters and investigations involving reproductive, gender-affirming, or other health care services that are legal in Connecticut.
Data Retention
ALPR data is retained for no more than 30 days unless it is preserved as potential evidence in a criminal, administrative, or civil matter.
Access Policy
Access is restricted to authorized, properly trained personnel using individual login credentials. Each query must be for a permitted purpose and requires the user to document the search parameters, reason for the query, and associated case or identifying number. System activity is logged and subject to regular audits to ensure compliance with Department policy.
Data Sharing
ALPR data may only be shared for official law enforcement or public safety purposes. Before ALPR data may be shared with an out-of-state law enforcement agency, the requesting agency must submit a request and affirm in writing that it will comply with Fairfield Police Department policy and Connecticut law, including the Connecticut Trust Act and state protections related to reproductive health care and gender-affirming health care. If the required written affirmation is not provided, the data will not be shared.
Hotlist Policy
Hot Lists are limited to legitimate law enforcement purposes. Manually adding a vehicle or license plate requires a documented law enforcement basis and supervisory approval. Entries must include identifying case information, have an expiration date, and be removed when the investigative need ends or the vehicle is located. Hotlist alert hits are verified as accurate by Fairfield police officers prior to any enforcement action being taken.

 

Success in Action
ALPR technology has already proven to be a critical tool in Fairfield:

  1. August 2022 Fatal Hit and Run: Following a fatal motorcycle crash where the driver fled the scene, ALPR cameras helped identify a vehicle matching the description provided to police. Investigators located the operator and made an arrest.
  2. November 2023 Commercial Burglary: After a burglary at a local jewelry store, officers used ALPR data to identify a suspect vehicle that had entered Fairfield prior to the crime. Working with neighboring agencies, detectives located the vehicle and arrested the suspect.
  3. December 2024 Armed Carjacking: After a delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint, ALPR cameras helped investigators identify a vehicle involved in the crime. The case resulted in charges and recovery of evidence.
  4. February 2025 Bias Crime Investigation: During an investigation into bias motivated graffiti, ALPR technology helped identify a vehicle associated with the incidents. Detectives identified and charged the responsible party.
  5. May 2025 Street Takeover: ALPR cameras also played a key role in a major investigation after a reckless “street takeover” endangered dozens of people at a local shopping plaza. By combining ALPR data with community videos and interagency support, officers identified multiple offenders across different towns, leading to several arrests and vehicle seizures.
  6. June 2025 Financial Exploitation Case: In an investigation involving the financial exploitation of an elderly resident, ALPR data assisted detectives in identifying a suspect vehicle connected to the incident. The information supported the issuance of an arrest warrant.
  7. June 2025 Fatal Crash: Following a tragic crash where the driver fled the scene, officers used ALPR evidence to quickly identify and locate the suspect’s vehicle, leading to an arrest the same evening.
  8. July 2025 Missing Person: In another example, ALPR systems were leveraged during the search for a missing Fairfield woman with dementia. Alerts were added across regional plate readers, helping investigators quickly rule out certain areas and focus resources. Combined with financial tracking and interagency coordination, the subject was safely located in New Haven within hours.
  9. December 2025 Commercial Burglary Spree: During a series of overnight commercial burglaries along Post Road, ALPR cameras captured a vehicle entering and leaving the area around the time of the crimes. Working with regional partners, investigators identified the suspect and obtained an arrest warrant.
  10. May 2026 Stolen Vehicle: While on patrol, a mobile LPR alerted officers to a passing vehicle associated with a theft report. Officers followed the vehicle while confirming its stolen status and ultimately located it in Bridgeport. The investigation resulted in the renter’s arrest for Larceny of a Motor Vehicle.
  11. May 2026 Reckless Driving Investigation: After an officer observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed but was unable to catch up to it, mobile LPRs on other patrol vehicles captured the vehicle’s license plate as it traveled through the area. The information allowed officers to identify the vehicle and locate the driver, who admitted traveling approximately 60 mph in a posted 30 mph zone and was issued a citation.
  12. June 2026 Arson Investigation: After determining that an individual likely intentionally set fire to an occupied Fairfield residence and fled the area, officers used ALPR data to track and locate the suspect vehicle just 23 minutes later. Quickly locating the individual was especially important because officers did not yet know her intentions or whether she posed a danger to herself or others. The investigation resulted in an arrest.

These cases demonstrate how ALPR is being used responsibly to solve crimes, locate vulnerable community members, and protect Fairfield while remaining fully compliant with state law and civil liberties protections.