Survey Finds Americans Divided on Police License Plate Readers

ARLINGTON, VA—A new survey from the National Policing Institute found that while many Americans remain skeptical of automated license plate reader programs, support for the technology increases significantly when it is used for specific public safety purposes and includes strong privacy safeguards.

The nationwide survey of 1,435 adults found that 54.4 percent oppose ALPR programs in their communities, while 34.6 percent support them and 11 percent remain undecided. Despite overall opposition, respondents generally approved of the technology when it is used to address serious crimes or emergencies.

Support was strongest for using license plate readers to locate missing or abducted children, with 88.3 percent of respondents deeming that use acceptable. More than 83 percent supported the technology for investigating violent crimes, and 81 percent approved of its use for recovering stolen vehicles.

Acceptance dropped sharply for broader surveillance purposes. Only 26.4 percent supported the use of ALPRs for immigration enforcement, 25.8 percent for routine traffic or parking enforcement, and just 17.7 percent for monitoring protests or political gatherings.

Researchers found that public messaging highlighting either the benefits or risks of the technology had little impact on opinions. However, nearly 58 percent of respondents said they would be more likely to support a local ALPR program if police agencies adopted privacy safeguards and oversight measures, while only 2.9 percent said such protections would reduce their support.

Privacy concerns remained a major issue throughout the survey. More than half of respondents said license plate data unrelated to a crime should be deleted within 30 days, and 21 percent said the information should not be collected at all. Younger adults expressed the highest levels of opposition, while concerns over potential data sharing with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement created the widest political divide among respondents.

According to the study, public opinion is shaped less by the technology itself and more by how it is used, how long data is retained, and whether clear privacy protections and accountability measures are in place.

The survey was conducted by the National Policing Institute—an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing policing practices through science and innovation—in September 2026 among 1,435 U.S. adults using a census-matched online sample, weighted to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey margins on age, sex, and race or ethnicity.

The findings are detailed in a new public-opinion brief, “What the Public Thinks About License Plate Readers: Findings from an Independent National Survey.” This survey complements NPI’s prior guidance to agencies, “ALPR Backlash: What Agencies Need to Know” (August 27, 2026).