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The License-Plate Reader File · AlabamaIn reporting · updated Oct. 31, 2026

Who is reading your plate?
County by county.

Alabama has no statute on license-plate readers; state justice-information rules adopted in 2022 cap data retention at five years and require agency policies and audits, and the transportation department permits readers on state roads. Of the 58 local agencies and bodies on this map with documented programs, the Walker County Commission ordered readers off county roads in September 2026 and Red Bay suspended its two cameras.

License-plate readers in other states →

A county’s color reflects any documented agency in it: the sheriff’s office or a city police department. “Not yet checked” is not the same as “none”.

Using license-plate readers
In use; some cameras may have been switched off or removed.
Removing or limiting cameras
Removing cameras beyond state roads, or limiting use, while some remain.
Use suspended
Cameras switched off or use paused; no contract termination reported.
Program documented, current use unconfirmed
Records or reports show the agency bought or used plate readers, but no source found confirms whether they are still in use.
Ended or removed
Contract terminated, program discontinued, or all cameras removed.

Statewide

  1. May 22, 2020 ALDOT opened comment on rules allowing police plate readers on state rights-of-way; Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) said he would file legislation to limit government use. (BirminghamWatch (from Alabama Daily News), May 22, 2020)
  2. April 15, 2021 SB2 (2021), Orr's bill limiting law enforcement plate-reader use, setting confidentiality, destruction of data and criminal penalties, was amended in Senate Judiciary; it passed the Senate but died in the House. NBC 15 reported it would have required destruction after 30 months. (LegiScan, April 15, 2021; WSFA via WBRC, Aug. 27, 2026; NBC 15 (WPMI), Aug. 24, 2026)
  3. March 17, 2022 Alabama Justice Information Commission rules (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 265-X-6, authority Code of Ala. §41-9-620) took effect: plate-reader data only for criminal justice or public safety purposes; moved to an agency-controlled repository within 24 hours; access and dissemination logs; written public agency policy required before use; retention no more than five years unless tied to an active case (with ALEA notice); vendors must sign an ALEA CJIS security agreement; ALEA audits at least every three years, with access suspended after 90 days of noncompliance; plate, time, location and ORI to go to a State LPR Registry within 48 hours once ALEA establishes it. (Alabama Administrative Code (Alabama Justice Information Commission), March 17, 2022)
  4. Feb. 1, 2023 ALDOT permit requirement for public safety sensors on its right-of-way took full effect; unpermitted devices became removable encroachments. (Alabama Department of Transportation, Jan. 1, 2023)
  5. 2026 The Alabama Sheriffs Association posted support for Flock and similar plate readers, saying agencies should have policies to protect the data (FOX10, Aug. 2, 2026; exact post date not given). FOX10 (Aug. 2, 2026) said the post went up that week. (FOX10 (WALA), Aug. 2, 2026)
  6. Aug. 24, 2026 Sen. Arthur Orr said he plans a 2027 bill: shorter retention (six months to a year), a warrant to access data with emergency exceptions, and tougher penalties for misuse. Later (Sept. 3) he said a statewide ban, stricter limits (retention from two weeks or 30 days up to a year; law-enforcement-only access), or the status quo were options, and called ALDOT's rules minimal. Sen. Robert Stewart (D-Selma) also backs changes. Prefiled bills expected after the Nov. 3, 2026 election; session begins in February 2027. (NBC 15 (WPMI), Aug. 24, 2026; WSFA via WBRC, Aug. 27, 2026; ABC 33/40, Sept. 3, 2026)
  7. Sept. 1, 2026 Rep. Rick Rehm (R-District 85) floated a full ban or tighter data rules; Sen. Donnie Chesteen said the Senate will likely take up the issue early in the session. Gov. Kay Ivey's office had not responded. (WTVY (via FOX10), Sept. 1, 2026)
  8. Sept. 18, 2026 Spectrum News reported no specific Alabama statute governs plate readers and cited an Alabama Policy Institute estimate of close to 2,800 Flock cameras in the state. (Spectrum News, Sept. 18, 2026)
  9. Sept. 22, 2026 ALDOT records obtained by WPMI/ABC 33/40 showed 872 public-safety sensors approved on state rights-of-way statewide; records did not show retention, access, vendor or safeguards. (ABC 33/40, Sept. 22, 2026)

State agencies

Alabama Department of Transportation

Status
Checked: no program found
Vendors
Cameras
Count not documented
Permitting authority; no source shows ALDOT operating plate readers. ABC 33/40 (Sept. 22, 2026) reported ALDOT records show 872 public-safety sensors approved for other agencies on state rights-of-way (430 in central Alabama).
Sources
ABC 33/40, Sept. 22, 2026; Alabama Department of Transportation, Jan. 1, 2023; Alabama Department of Transportation, Sept. 3, 2026; Alabama Department of Transportation, Oct. 31, 2026; BirminghamWatch (from Alabama Daily News), May 22, 2020
  1. May 22, 2020 ALDOT proposed rules letting city, county and state law enforcement place plate readers and other 'public safety sensors' on its rights-of-way; three-year permits, no fee, use limited to law enforcement/public safety, no monetizing data; comments due May 29, 2020. (BirminghamWatch (from Alabama Daily News), May 22, 2020)
  2. Feb. 1, 2023 Unpermitted sensors on ALDOT right-of-way without a submitted application became unlawful encroachments subject to removal (deadline to apply Jan. 31, 2023). Applicants need an ORI and an ALEA CJIS vendor verification permit for each LPR vendor. (Alabama Department of Transportation, Jan. 1, 2023)
  3. Sept. 3, 2026 Active-application list updated; in this region it shows approved LPR permits for Gulf Shores PD and Pine Hill PD and pending LPR applications for Atmore, Brewton, Grove Hill, Semmes and Spanish Fort police. (Alabama Department of Transportation, Sept. 3, 2026)
Conflicts and open questions
  • ALDOT's permit page links ALEA/AJIC rule chapter 265-X-6. The FAQ sets no retention period.

From agency records.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (CJIS Division)

Status
Checked: no program found
Vendors
Cameras
Count not documented
No source found showing ALEA operates its own readers. Under AJIC rule chapter 265-X-6 the ALEA CJIS Division is to keep a State LPR Registry, audit capturing agencies at least every three years and report each year to the commission; vendors must sign an ALEA CJIS security agreement. ALDOT's permit FAQ requires an ALEA CJIS vendor verification permit for each LPR vendor. In 2020 ALEA said it had no plans to use ALDOT property for sensors.
Sources
Alabama Administrative Code (Alabama Justice Information Commission), March 17, 2022; Alabama Department of Transportation, Jan. 1, 2023; BirminghamWatch (from Alabama Daily News), May 22, 2020
  1. March 17, 2022 AJIC rule chapter 265-X-6 took effect, giving ALEA CJIS the registry, audit and annual-report duties. (Alabama Administrative Code (Alabama Justice Information Commission), March 17, 2022)
Conflicts and open questions
  • Whether the State LPR Registry has been established is not known (records request).

From agency records.

Every county

All 67 counties
AutaugaUsing license-plate readers1Flock Safety—
BaldwinUsing license-plate readers6Flock Safety132
BarbourChecked: no program found———
BibbChecked: no program found———
BlountChecked: no program found———
BullockNot yet checked———
ButlerChecked: no program found———
CalhounProgram documented, current use unconfirmed1Flock Safety10
ChambersChecked: no program found———
CherokeeChecked: no program found———
ChiltonUsing license-plate readers2Flock Safety, SkyCop—
ChoctawChecked: no program found———
ClarkeChecked: no program found———
ClayChecked: no program found———
CleburneChecked: no program found———
CoffeeChecked: no program found———
ColbertChecked: no program found———
ConecuhChecked: no program found———
CoosaNot yet checked———
CovingtonUsing license-plate readers1Flock Safety—
CrenshawNot yet checked———
CullmanUsing license-plate readers3Flock Safety20
DaleChecked: no program found———
DallasUsing license-plate readers1SkyCop14
DeKalbChecked: no program found———
ElmoreChecked: no program found———
EscambiaChecked: no program found———
EtowahProgram documented, current use unconfirmed1Flock Safety15
FayetteChecked: no program found———
FranklinUsing license-plate readers3Flock Safety14
GenevaChecked: no program found———
GreeneChecked: no program found———
HaleChecked: no program found———
HenryNot yet checked———
HoustonUsing license-plate readers4Flock Safety44
JacksonProgram documented, current use unconfirmed1Flock Safety—
JeffersonUsing license-plate readers8Flock Safety32
LamarChecked: no program found———
LauderdaleProgram documented, current use unconfirmed1——
LawrenceChecked: no program found———
LeeUsing license-plate readers3Flock Safety—
LimestoneChecked: no program found———
LowndesNot yet checked———
MaconChecked: no program found———
MadisonUsing license-plate readers2Flock Safety43
MarengoChecked: no program found———
MarionChecked: no program found———
MarshallUsing license-plate readers1Flock Safety33
MobileUsing license-plate readers1——
MonroeChecked: no program found———
MontgomeryUsing license-plate readers1Flock Safety121
MorganUsing license-plate readers3Flock Safety58
PerryChecked: no program found———
PickensChecked: no program found———
PikeUsing license-plate readers2Flock Safety14
RandolphChecked: no program found———
RussellUsing license-plate readers1Flock Safety—
ShelbyUsing license-plate readers6Flock Safety—
St. ClairUsing license-plate readers3Flock Safety20
SumterChecked: no program found———
TalladegaProgram documented, current use unconfirmed1Flock Safety—
TallapoosaUsing license-plate readers2Flock Safety1
TuscaloosaUsing license-plate readers3Flock Safety2
WalkerUsing license-plate readers2Flock Safety15
WashingtonChecked: no program found———
WilcoxChecked: no program found———
WinstonChecked: no program found———

How this map is built

We start with each county’s sheriff’s office and its largest city police departments, then work outward. Each agency’s entry says whether it comes from agency records or from news reports, and links every source. Companies are tracked separately, so the map can show one company’s customers or all license-plate readers together.

Have a contract, invoice or records response for an agency here? Send it to tips@signaldata.org.

Sources