Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR or LPR)
Why is COR using an ALPR?
The Arlington County Commissioner of Revenue (“COR”) uses a single, vehicle-mounted automatic license plate reader (“ALPR”) to aid its vehicle personal property tax compliance staff in ensuring that all vehicles regularly garaged in the county follow the registration, licensure and personal property taxation provisions of Virginia law and the Arlington County Code.
This system replaced one in which COR staff gathered the same information manually, using the County decal as a tool, paper lists and logs of vehicles.
Is the taxpayer information kept confidential?
The ALPR system is used in a manner dedicated first and foremost to the protection of personal privacy and the confidentiality of taxpayer information. COR staff collect only the limited information necessary to carry out their duty under Virginia law to identify and assess all taxable property in the county and no more. The data collected is maintained for no longer than necessary to conduct this mission. This information is not sold or shared with any other parties (as described in more detail below).
Is COR working with any law enforcement agencies as part of this program?
No, this is not a police program. The ALPR is owned and operated by COR to enforce the vehicle personal property tax filing requirement in Arlington County. The information collected is not shared with any law enforcement agency.
What type of information are the cameras looking for?
The cameras collect images of license plates that are not currently properly registered with the county. Vehicles identified as properly registered with the County are rejected by the camera operation team and no data collected regarding them.
Does COR share the data we collect?
No. Virginia law prohibits COR from disclosing information to any third party (including law enforcement) that it gathers about taxpayers (including the ALPR images), unless compelled to do so by court order.
This information is shared with the contractors whose systems are used in operating the ALPR. These contractors are bound by Virginia law and a confidentiality agreement not to disclose this information to anyone else.
Data uploaded to the contractor-maintained ALPR server is deleted every twenty-four hours.
Will the data collected be secure?
Once collected, ALPR data is stored and accessed securely as part of a system designed to prevent unauthorized access.
Are Arlington County taxpayers able to report vehicles of suspected tax evaders?
COR’s Taxpayer Improvement Program Service (TIPS) identifies and collects taxes from apparent tax evaders, including those who evade vehicle personal property taxes. For more information, visit https://www.arlingtonva.us/vehicles/report-tax-evader or call 703-228-3030.