Queen Creek officials enacted a new ordinance on Wednesday that prohibits the improper use of automatic license plate reader technology. The town council approved the measure unanimously, making the municipality the first in Arizona to establish specific penalties for such misuse.
Under the new rules, individuals found to have knowingly misused the system face a fine of $2,500 and potential incarceration of up to six months.
The ordinance introduces several safeguards to restrict access to the technology. Users must log in with role-based credentials and provide a valid case, event, or identification number to initiate a search. Additionally, every query requires a specific and legitimate law enforcement purpose. These requirements are designed to ensure that the tools are used only for authorized investigative activities.
Councilmember Jeff Brown supported the measure by arguing that accountability gaps should be addressed rather than removing the technology entirely. He noted that police departments are staffed by fallible humans and suggested that policy improvements are a better solution than eliminating effective legal tools. Brown stated that the goal is to close accountability gaps while retaining the utility of the system.
Councilmember Leah Martineau, who is affiliated with the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network, also voiced support for the ordinance. She expressed a desire to avoid a reactive removal of the cameras, a step taken by some other municipalities. Martineau indicated that the new policy allows the town to continue using the technology responsibly while ensuring due diligence in protecting residents.
