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License-plate readers · Johnson County

Johnson County

Using license-plate readers · 14 agencies documented

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Johnson County Sheriff's Office

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Genetec, Flock Safety, Leonardo (ELSAG)
Cameras
50
About 50 total per Oct. 1, 2026 Johnson County Post survey of departments: 45 Genetec, 2 fixed and 1 mobile Flock, 3 mobile units the Post spells LSAG. Commissioner Becky Fast said 45 (Post, Oct. 14, 2026). The 2022 grant plan was 55 new readers on top of 5 existing (FOX 4).
Contract
Electronic Technologies Inc.: $595,000 total · from Oct. 2022 · Federal grant-funded purchase of up to 55 readers. FOX 4 says a Justice Department grant received Sept. 30, 2022. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 28, 2022; FOX 4 Kansas City, Oct. 28, 2022)
  1. Oct. 27, 2022 County commissioners accepted a $595,000 federal grant to buy up to 55 readers; FOX 4 reports the approval was unanimous. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 28, 2022; FOX 4 Kansas City, Oct. 28, 2022)
  2. Oct. 1, 2026 The office told the Post it leases all its Flock units and some Genetec units, keeps data 90 days, allows access only to agencies it specifically authorizes, audits annually and requires a stated reason for each search. It declined to give specific fixed locations, which it said are in De Soto, Gardner, Mission, Olathe and Fairway. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)
  3. Oct. 14, 2026 In a Post candidate questionnaire, Commissioner Becky Fast said the board authorizes reader funding through the budget but does not control sheriff's policies. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 14, 2026)
Conflicts and open questions
  • Provides police services to De Soto and Edgerton, which own no readers (Post, Oct. 1, 2026).
  • Vendor spelled 'LSAG' in the Post; recorded here as elsag, not confirmed with the agency.
  • In 2022 a county security official told FOX 4 images would stay up to two years on a county server and would not be shared; the current figures the agency gave the Post are 90 days and sharing only with agencies it specifically authorizes.
  • Candidates in the Post's Oct. 14, 2026 questionnaire said the program began in 2022 with a grant; the FOX 4 report says five readers were already operating in Oct. 2022.

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Overland Park Police Department

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Genetec, Axon
Cameras
147
KCUR, Oct. 13, 2026: 37 stationary plus 110 vehicle-mounted (sum ours). Post, Oct. 1, 2026: 38 fixed and 113 mobile. Sources differ; both recorded.
  1. July 2021 The Post reported eight fixed readers at two intersections, one on each traffic light, and six patrol cars with readers, with one more coming. (Johnson County Post, July 27, 2021)
  2. Oct. 14, 2026 The department announced a revised reader policy: retention cut from one year to 30 days, monthly search audits, no facial recognition, no use for tax or immigration enforcement, no readers within 100 feet of places of worship, polling places or medical facilities, and written requests or agreements for outside agencies. (KCUR, Oct. 13, 2026; KSHB 41, Oct. 14, 2026; KCTV5, Oct. 14, 2026)
Conflicts and open questions
  • Genetec fixed, Axon mobile (Post, Oct. 1, 2026). Does not own Flock cameras but can reach privately owned Flock data in the city (KCUR).
  • KCUR says the policy took effect late in the week before Oct. 13; KSHB gives no effective date. The ACLU of Kansas called it a 'significant step forward' and still opposes reader use.

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Olathe Police Department

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Leonardo (ELSAG), Genetec
Cameras
Count not documented
Department did not tell the Post how many devices it has (Oct. 1, 2026); mix of fixed and mobile.
  1. Oct. 1, 2026 Told the Post it uses ELSAG and Genetec devices, keeps data 90 days, shares with other agencies by permission, and logs access so it can be audited. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Shawnee Police Department

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Vendor not named in source
Cameras
Count not documented
Department did not directly answer the Post on counts or manufacturers (Oct. 1, 2026). Earlier: 8 readers (2021) and 11 more approved (2024); the 2024 story does not say whether they are fixed.
Contract
Electronic Technologies Inc.: $70,000 total · from Sept. 2024 · Approximate: 'nearly $70,000' for 11 readers. The purchase stems from an $83,000 federal COPS technology grant, of which about $11,000 earlier bought mobile readers. (Johnson County Post, Sept. 10, 2024)
  1. July 2021 The Post reported eight readers on major roads at $4,700 each; mobile readers no longer in use. (Johnson County Post, July 27, 2021)
  2. Sept. 9, 2024 City council voted 5-1 to add 11 readers, Councilmember Tony Gillette opposed and two members absent. Date inferred from 'Monday' in a Sept. 10 story. (Johnson County Post, Sept. 10, 2024)
  3. Oct. 1, 2026 Policy obtained by the Post through a records request limits data to official business; retention 180 days; other agencies by request only. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Lenexa Police Department

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Leonardo (ELSAG), Axon, Genetec
Cameras
82
40 fixed and 42 mobile, per department in Post, Oct. 1, 2026 (sum ours). 2021: nine fixed locations and four patrol cars.
  1. July 2021 The Post listed nine fixed locations and four patrol cars with mobile readers. (Johnson County Post, July 27, 2021)
  2. June 29, 2026 KCUR reported the department uses Axon, Genetec and Leonardo, not Flock. A resident who had published a column faulting local police had his plate logged roughly 150 times over a span shorter than two years. Police opened a 2025 investigation into him; it turned out he was not the person in the video at issue, and no one was charged. (KCUR, June 29, 2026)
  3. Oct. 1, 2026 Department gave the Post a 60-day retention figure and said sharing is by request only; a new reader policy is under review. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Leawood Police Department

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Genetec
Cameras
13
13 fixed; earlier mobile unit no longer used (Post, Oct. 1, 2026).
  1. July 2021 The Post listed 11 readers at about $4,000 each. (Johnson County Post, July 27, 2021)
  2. Oct. 1, 2026 Told the Post it keeps data one year, shares under regional agreements, and is revising its policy. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Prairie Village Police Department

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Genetec, Axis Communications
Cameras
55
30 fixed in Prairie Village plus 25 fixed in Mission Hills as described by the Post, Oct. 1, 2026 (sum ours). Axis cameras, Genetec software.
  1. Nov. 8, 2021 Mission Hills, policed by Prairie Village officers, unanimously approved more than $230,000 for readers at several sites. Date inferred from 'Monday' in a Nov. 10 story. (Johnson County Post, Nov. 10, 2021)
  2. March 9, 2023 The Post reported a $638,000 federal COPS grant for readers and traffic cameras at more than 25 intersections; FOX 4 reported the grant as more than $600,000. (Johnson County Post, March 9, 2023; FOX 4 Kansas City, March 10, 2023)
  3. Oct. 1, 2026 Told the Post it keeps data 90 days on department servers, requires a documented request from outside agencies, and audits twice a year. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)
Conflicts and open questions
  • Grant is not a contract; no vendor contract amount found.

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Merriam Police Department

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Genetec
Cameras
19
19 fixed (Post, Oct. 1, 2026).
Contract
Vendor not named in source: $50,000 total · from June 9, 2025 · Readers and cameras at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch Road; vendor not named. (Johnson County Post, June 11, 2025)
  1. June 9, 2025 City council voted 7-1 for $50,000 in readers and intersection cameras; Councilmember Reuben Cozmyer opposed, citing third-party data access. (Johnson County Post, June 11, 2025)
  2. Oct. 1, 2026 Told the Post it retains data up to 180 days, audits quarterly and requires documented requests from outside agencies; it does not use Flock. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Mission Police Department

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Genetec
Cameras
22
22 fixed (Post, Oct. 1, 2026).
Contract
Electronic Technologies Inc.: $147,637 total · from 2023 · Proposed cost as of April 13, 2023; $140,000 from a federal grant. Council vote result not confirmed. (Johnson County Post, April 13, 2023)
  1. April 13, 2023 The Post reported Mission was weighing readers at 10 intersections, nine its own and one owned by the sheriff, with a council vote set for April 19, 2023. (Johnson County Post, April 13, 2023)
  2. Oct. 1, 2026 Told the Post it keeps data 90 days, lets some other agencies access it, and audits quarterly. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Gardner Police Department

Status
Removing or limiting cameras
Vendors
Axon, Flock Safety
Cameras
15
15 mobile Axon remaining (Post, Oct. 1, 2026). Flock units ended: Post reported four (Aug. 20) and two fixed plus two mobile (Oct. 1); KCTV5 reported one Gardner-owned camera. Sources differ.
Contract
Flock Safety: $13,000 unknown · Approximate: 'roughly $13,000', already paid; the story does not say if that is annual or covers both contracts. Two contracts, one ending in December and one in February (years not stated); council voted to cancel. Cameras operating since Sept. 2025. (Johnson County Post, Aug. 20, 2026)
  1. Aug. 14, 2026 Police Chief Kelly Herron temporarily shut off the Flock cameras. (Johnson County Post, Aug. 20, 2026)
  2. Aug. 17, 2026 City council voted to turn the Flock cameras off immediately and cancel the contract; no tally reported. The vote did not cover state or county cameras. Date inferred from 'Monday'. (Johnson County Post, Aug. 20, 2026; KCTV5, Aug. 19, 2026)
  3. Oct. 1, 2026 Told the Post it keeps Axon data 30 days, does not share it, and that an audit found 'no improper access or use'. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)
Conflicts and open questions
  • The city cited K.S.A. 45-221(a)(55) in not disclosing camera locations (Post, Aug. 20).
  • The Post's Oct. 1 survey says the council in August chose to discontinue the Flock units early; its Aug. 20 story says the chief shut them off the Friday before the council's Monday vote.

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Spring Hill Police Department

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Axon, Leonardo (ELSAG)
Cameras
11
10 Axon and 1 Leonardo, all mobile (Post, Oct. 1, 2026).
  1. Oct. 1, 2026 Told the Post it keeps data 90 days and has the operations captain audit annually. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Roeland Park Police Department

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Genetec
Cameras
3
3 fixed (Post, Oct. 1, 2026); the Post mentions no mobile units.
Contract
Electronic Technologies Inc.: $44,335 total · from Feb. 20, 2023 · Five-year contract. (Johnson County Post, March 8, 2023)
  1. Feb. 20, 2023 City council voted 4-1 to buy three readers for Roe Boulevard, and later 7-1 on locations. (Johnson County Post, March 8, 2023)
  2. Oct. 1, 2026 Told the Post it keeps data 90 days and shares with other agencies. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Fairway Police Department

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Genetec
Cameras
8
7 fixed and 1 mobile (Post, Oct. 1, 2026; sum ours).
  1. Oct. 1, 2026 Told the Post it keeps data 90 days and lets other agencies access it under a memorandum of understanding; it did not share its policy. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Westwood Police Department

Status
Checked: no program found
Vendors
Cameras
Count not documented
Post, Oct. 1, 2026: no reader cameras or technology.
  1. Oct. 1, 2026 Reported to have no reader cameras or technology. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Statewide

  1. March 25, 2021 SB 305 would have required written reader policies and exempted the data from the Open Records Act; the ACLU of Kansas testified against it. A 2024 legislative memo says it died in committee. (ACLU of Kansas, March 25, 2021; Kansas Legislative Research Department, Feb. 1, 2024)
  2. 2022 SB 434 proposed routing requests for reader records to the owning agency and adding them to records agencies need not disclose. (Kansas Legislative Research Department, 2022)
  3. Feb. 25, 2022 A Kansas Legislative Research memo said state law at that time had no provision aimed specifically at plate-reader data or policies. (Kansas Legislative Research Department, Feb. 25, 2022)
  4. Feb. 1, 2024 Legislative researchers reported K.S.A. 45-221(a)(55) lets public agencies withhold records containing captured plate data or concerning a reader's location. The 2021 text of 45-221 does not contain this language, so it was added after 2021. (Kansas Legislative Research Department, Feb. 1, 2024; Justia, 2021)
  5. July 2026 The Kansas Justice Institute sued Wichita in Sedgwick County District Court on behalf of a resident, alleging the city's Flock program violates the Kansas Constitution. These are allegations; no ruling has been reported. (Kansas Reflector, July 2026)
  6. Sept. 30, 2026 KCUR reported the Institute for Justice database lists five Kansas reader-abuse cases, and that Sen. Josh Hawley introduced a federal bill limiting sale and retention of reader data. (KCUR, Sept. 30, 2026)
  7. Oct. 1, 2026 The Johnson County Post reported that without comprehensive state or federal law, departments set their own reader rules. (Johnson County Post, Oct. 1, 2026)

State agencies

Kansas Highway Patrol

Status
Program documented, current use unconfirmed
Vendors
Vendor not named in source
Cameras
Count not documented
No count found.
  1. Feb. 25, 2022 A legislative research memo, relaying a patrol officer's 2021 testimony, said readings go to secure servers at the Houston HIDTA office, are held six months and then purged, and that logging in requires vetting and a valid law-enforcement purpose. (Kansas Legislative Research Department, Feb. 25, 2022)
Conflicts and open questions
  • Evidence older than 12 months.

From agency records.