Boise State University’s Department of Public Safety utilizes license plate recognition hardware and software (LPR) for parking and access control.
Locations
LPR data is collected on Boise State streets and parking lots. This includes the main academic campus (generally bounded by Broadway Avenue to the east, Capitol Boulevard to the west, and both Beacon Street and University Drive to the south) and certain remote locations including, but not limited to, Dona Larsen Park, Yanke Family Research Park, Elder Street Park and Ride, and BOAS Athletics Center. Public Safety currently utilizes a single mobile vehicle-mounted system which is driven by trained personnel in parking locations throughout the university, and is working with the student body to develop a sustainable “bicycle-powered” LPR vehicle. Public Safety also plans to install permanent mounted LPR camera hardware at the entry points of both the Lincoln and Brady Garages.
Data Collected
The LPR system captures two photos of observed vehicles: (1) a context photo of the vehicle and its immediate surroundings and (2) a photo of the license plate. Typically, these photos are taken from the rear of the vehicle, although there are occasions where a photo is taken from the front. The photos are not of a resolution that allows identification of the vehicle occupants. Along with the photographic data, the system also records the global positioning system coordinates and date/time information of the observation. Further software processing of the license plate image generates an alphanumeric version of the license plate number which is also stored with the record.
Use of Data
The intended use of data collected by the LPR system is for parking access control, parking enforcement and law enforcement investigations. LPR data is used to determine a vehicle’s access permissions in a given parking area and support the issuance of a parking citation if necessary. The data is also used by the Boise Police Department (BPD) in conducting ongoing criminal investigations and complaints, and the Department of Public Safety for purposes of conduct or shared values investigations or complaints. Any use of the data for purposes outside of these stated purposes must be detailed and approved in writing through administrative channels by the Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety.
Data Retention
Data collected by the LPR system is retained according to established University record retention policies. Data associated with an ongoing law enforcement investigation is retained until the investigation is completed or as directed by investigators or courts.
Access to Records
Access to records created and maintained by the LPR system is restricted to trained Public Safety personnel performing their duties and a limited number of law enforcement personnel at BPD. All personnel with access to the system use unique identifiers and passwords to access records and all login, record additions, and other activity is logged. Access to the system by others is prohibited.
Public Notification
Public Safety will notify the public of its LPR data collection activities and policies via:
- Posting of a privacy policy on the University website
- On signage at future fixed LPR camera hardware sites