Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Jason Haberman outlined the benefits of the municipality’s automated license plate reader cameras during a presentation to commissioners, emphasizing their importance in solving crimes while acknowledging growing concerns about privacy, government surveillance and the collection of personal information.

Haberman said the police department currently operates cameras at 27 locations throughout Mt. Lebanon. The  automated license plate reader (ALPR) system” captures license plate information from passing vehicles and allows investigators to search records when investigating crimes.

The presentation came amid increasing public scrutiny of the technology, with Haberman acknowledging that residents have contacted municipal officials with questions and concerns.

“We do hear the public. We understand the concerns,” Haberman said, adding that the department recognizes the significant amount of personal information the cameras can collect.

Haberman emphasized that the technology has dramatically improved police investigations, comparing its impact to the introduction of DNA analysis and fingerprinting.

“It’s that significant in combating crime, deterring crime, and effectively allowing us to do our job,” he said.

According to Haberman, the cameras can capture license plates with approximately 90% accuracy, even when vehicles travel at speeds exceeding 70 mph. Earlier generations of the technology had accuracy rates below 70%.

He said the department’s crime clearance rate is approaching 90%, a figure he believes is substantially aided by ALPR technology.

The cameras have helped investigators solve cases ranging from hit-and-run accidents and fraud to investigations involving potentially dangerous individuals, Haberman said.

He cited a 2020 case in which an
automated license plate reader alerted officers to a wanted individual traveling along Washington Road. Police stopped the vehicle and discovered firearms and explosive devices, according to Haberman.

He also described a recent $83,000 fraud investigation in which a suspect posing as an Uber driver collected money from a victim. Investigators used license plate reader information to locate the vehicle, leading to the suspect’s apprehension in a neighboring community.

Despite those successes, Haberman acknowledged that the technology raises legitimate privacy questions.

“We are gleaning and gaining a ton of information on people,” he said. “And we have to use that in a very transparent, sensible way.”

He noted that license plate records could potentially reveal personal habits, including where individuals shop and their daily travel patterns.

Haberman said officers are permitted to access the information only for legitimate investigations and that the department is committed to auditing searches and maintaining records of system usage.

“We can’t lose the trust of the public,” he said.

Mt. Lebanon contracts with Viper, a license plate reader technology provider used by numerous Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies. Haberman said the municipality operates under an agreement involving the Allegheny County district attorney’s office, which maintains the primary license.

He said the arrangement provides security safeguards and helps ensure that information introduced as evidence in criminal proceedings can be authenticated.

Haberman also distinguished Mt. Lebanon’s system from Flock Safety, another license plate reader provider that has attracted national attention.

The chief stressed that the cameras are not used for routine traffic enforcement, including identifying expired or suspended vehicle registrations.

“ALPR is not utilized for traffic violations,” he said.

Instead, the department is adjusting its software to eliminate certain automated alerts involving registration-related offenses.

Haberman said the technology has developed faster than laws and court decisions governing its use. He expects additional legislation and judicial rulings to address privacy protections and permissible access to collected information.

Until then, he said, police departments must establish responsible practices and maintain public confidence.

The municipality has gradually expanded its camera network since approximately 2016, generally adding about one intersection annually. During the presentation, Haberman said equipping an additional intersection costs approximately $10,000.

While emphasizing the cameras’ investigative benefits, Haberman said the department remains committed to evaluating its practices and responding to residents’ concerns.

The challenge, he indicated, is preserving a technology police consider essential while ensuring its use does not undermine the public’s trust.