Mayor Yemi Mobolade said on April 27 that proposed legislation in the Colorado General Assembly could limit the use of automated license plate reader technology by law enforcement. The mayor emphasized that public safety is a key responsibility of local government and highlighted how technology helps police, firefighters, and first responders carry out their duties.
Mobolade explained that tools like the Real Time Crime Center, drones as first responders, and automated license plate readers have improved response times and outcomes for public safety. He said the Colorado Springs Police Department has used license plate reader technology since 2009 to help locate stolen vehicles, identify suspects, and track vehicles connected to crimes.
The mayor warned that Senate Bill 70 would restrict law enforcement’s access to historical location data from these cameras by requiring officers to obtain a warrant in many cases and limiting how long data can be kept. “While well-intentioned, the practical effect of this proposal would be to render this technology far less useful when response time is critical,” Mobolade said.
He gave examples where quick access to license plate reader data was crucial. In one case involving an abducted two-year-old child, officers were able to quickly identify a vehicle using available data and found the child unharmed within two hours. Mobolade also mentioned situations such as hit-and-run crashes or missing persons where immediate searches are important for public safety.
Mobolade noted that these cameras only capture information visible on public roadways and do not track people in private spaces. He said local governments have policies governing how this information is accessed. “Public safety and privacy are not mutually exclusive,” he said. “We can, and should, implement reasonable safeguards while still allowing law enforcement to use effective tools to protect our communities.”
In closing his statement, Mobolade urged lawmakers to reconsider Senate Bill 70 as written: “For the sake of our families, I urge lawmakers to reconsider this detrimental legislation and work with local governments and law enforcement to find a balanced solution that protects both public safety and civil liberties.”
