Senators press Blanche for license plate reader guidance

Senators ask Justice Department to act

Sens. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, and Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican, sent a letter Monday to Blanche, the head of the Department of Justice. They asked him to issue guidance to state and local law enforcement agencies aimed at preventing misuse of automated license plate readers, commonly shortened to ALPRs.

The joint request crosses party lines and addresses law enforcement agencies outside the federal government. It comes as opposition to the use of the technology grows in communities across the country. The senators’ appeal focuses on federal guidance as the response to those concerns, with Blanche as the official they are pressing for action.

What the request covers

Warnock and Britt are seeking direction for state and local agencies that use automated systems to read license plates. The senators directed their request to Blanche and asked for guidance that would reach agencies across the country. Their stated goal is to prevent misuse as scrutiny increases nationally.

The development is not directly linked to an election or candidate. It is a policy request by two sitting senators from different parties, directed to the federal official leading the Justice Department and focused on practices by state and local law enforcement. Attention now turns to whether Blanche answers the letter and whether the department issues the requested guidance.