Marin Sheriff Shared License Plate Reader Data

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office shared automated license plate reader information with law enforcement agencies outside Marin County.

What happened

Automated license plate readers collect information associated with vehicles detected by the system. The sheriff’s office shared that information with outside law enforcement agencies.

What remains to be established

The agencies that received the information, the dates of the sharing and the amount of information involved are not identified. The record also does not establish what rules governed the sharing or whether the information was connected to a specific investigation.

Why the issue matters

License plate reader data can show where a vehicle was detected and when. Sharing that information beyond the agency that collected it raises questions about access, retention and oversight. Those details would help residents understand how the Marin County Sheriff’s Office used the system and how outside agencies could access the information.