How to request license-plate camera records from your city

Public-records requests are how residents and reporters get the documents behind a camera program. Every state has a public-records law, but deadlines, fees and exemptions differ. The Reporters Committee Open Government Guide explains each state's law.

1. Find the right agency

Usually the police department or sheriff's office that operates the cameras, and sometimes the city clerk for contracts. Our city files and the EFF Atlas of Surveillance can help identify agencies.

2. Ask for specific records

• The vendor contract, amendments, invoices and renewal dates.
• Written ALPR use and retention policies.
• The list of outside agencies the data is shared with.
• Search audit logs (who searched, when, and the stated reason).
• Camera locations and counts.

Specific requests are faster to fulfill and harder to deny. Some agencies' audit logs have already been published; search Have I Been Flocked? first.

3. Cite the law and keep it polite

Our records request generator drafts the letter; city pages prefill your state. Some states also have ALPR-specific statutes on retention and sharing (see ALPR laws by state), which can help you ask the right questions.

4. Track the deadline and follow up

Note the date you sent it and your state's response deadline (see the RCFP guide). If records are withheld, ask which exemption applies, and ask for the rest with only the exempt parts redacted.

5. Share what you get

Send documents to local reporters and to us at [email protected]; we add sourced facts to city files.

This guide is general information, not legal advice.