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South Dakota AG Marty Jackley Proposes Privacy Safeguards for Police License Plate Readers

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Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced plans to propose state legislation establishing strict safeguards for law enforcement’s use of License Plate Reader (LPR) technology across South Dakota.


The proposed measure aims to ensure that automatic license plate readers are utilized exclusively for legitimate law enforcement investigations while instituting robust statutory protections for individual privacy, including mandatory data deletion deadlines.


Balancing Public Safety and Individual Privacy

While acknowledging the vital role LPR technology plays in solving complex cases, AG Jackley emphasized the necessity of clear, enforceable boundaries to protect the public against potential misuse or unwarranted data retention.

"I look forward to working with legislators and law enforcement over the coming days to strike the right balance between giving law enforcement the tools needed to protect the public and the privacy of the people we serve," said Attorney General Jackley. "Limiting LPR use to legitimate investigative purposes and requiring the destruction of data within an established period of time ensures that this technology enhances public safety without compromising individual rights."

Key Provisions of the Proposed Legislation

The legislative framework aims to establish statewide consistency and transparency regarding how license plate data is collected and stored:


·         Strict Purpose Limitations: LPR data may only be collected, accessed, or analyzed during legitimate law enforcement investigations into criminal activity.

·         Mandatory Data Deletion: Any information gathered through LPR technology must be securely protected and permanently deleted within an established timeframe, unless it is directly relevant to an active, ongoing criminal investigation.

·         Law Enforcement Collaboration: Jackley is working alongside state lawmakers, state's attorneys, sheriff associations, and police chiefs to refine the legislative language prior to the upcoming session.


Proven Impact in Major Investigations

When used with local authority approval, LPR technology has already proven invaluable to South Dakota law enforcement in solving critical cases. High-profile investigations where the technology assisted law enforcement include:


·         The 2023 Clark County Abduction: Assisting investigators in locating and safely recovering a kidnapped 9-year-old girl.

·         The McKenna Wendel Case: Providing key investigative leads following the disappearance and death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel.


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