License plate recognition technology bolsters rural safety

This article originally appeared in the Cap Times

As the sheriff of Dane County, I have the profound responsibility of keeping our communities safe across one of Wisconsin’s most geographically diverse counties.

With over 1,238 square miles of land and 41 square miles of water to cover, our deputies face challenges that are incredibly unique. We serve and assist not only every municipality but also vast rural landscapes dotted with townships, villages and unincorporated areas where the nearest neighbor might be a mile away and response times are measured in critical minutes rather than seconds.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) operates through nine patrol areas, each typically staffed by just one deputy per shift. The largest of these areas spans 164.4 square miles, encompassing five townships and serving approximately 7,700 residents. In these expansive regions, a single deputy might patrol winding country roads, sprawling farmland, small village centers and remote residential pockets all in one shift. The sheer scale makes traditional urban policing methods insufficient on their own.

This reality becomes clear when we examine the demands placed on our team. In 2025 alone, the Sheriff’s Office responded to more than 54,000 calls for service. These included homicides, sexual assaults, residential burglaries, vehicle thefts, vehicle break-ins and alerts for missing or vulnerable individuals. Each call requires rapid assessment, careful investigation and often immediate action.

This is precisely why automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology has become imperative for effective public safety in rural communities. ALPR systems capture license plates while deputies focus on proactive community engagement and emergency responses. In vast rural areas where criminals exploit isolated properties, ALPR serves as a force multiplier and crime deterrent. It helps locate stolen vehicles, identify suspects linked to violent crimes, and recover missing persons faster, often before situations escalate into tragedy.

To be clear, effective peacekeeping and respect for privacy are not mutually exclusive. Modern ALPR systems, when implemented responsibly with strong policies and oversight, can significantly enhance safety while protecting the constitutional rights of citizens. Data can be retained for limited, justified periods (30 days), used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes, and subject to strict audit protocols (every 15 days). The technology helps us focus limited resources where they are most needed.

This issue is particularly urgent as we head into summer. Warmer months historically bring increased countywide criminal activity and opportunities for crimes. Our deputies are already stretched thin, understaffed and overworked. The right technological tools are not a luxury; they are a necessity for maintaining the peace our residents expect and deserve.

I am encouraged that the Dane County Board, Public Protection and Judiciary Committee voted 7-1 to approve a resolution to redirect $80,000 in funds, originally tied to a canceled contract with a previous provider. The resolution is a step toward allowing the Sheriff's Office to start a request for proposal (RFP) process for ALPR technology from a community-approved provider. There are approximately 16 companies that offer advanced ALPR systems with robust privacy safeguards, reliable performance in rural environments and proven track records in balancing public safety with individual rights. This represents smart governance by using trusted technology to address real gaps in rural coverage while prioritizing accountability and transparency.

The results of our focused peacekeeping efforts are already visible. From 2024 to 2025, rural Dane County saw encouraging declines in several key crime categories. Battery incidents decreased by 1.8%, domestic disputes dropped 5%, fraud fell 12.2%, and retail theft plummeted by a remarkable 76.7%. Stolen auto incidents decreased 44.8%, theft from vehicles declined 41.4%, and sex offenses dropped dramatically by 54.5%. These improvements reflect the hard work of our deputies, ALPR technology, strong local partnerships, dedicated jail programming and strategic prevention efforts.

Even as we celebrate these gains, we must remain vigilant. Residential burglaries increased 6.9%, theft edged up slightly by 0.7%, and homicides rose by four total incidents. These statistics remind us that crime is not static. In rural areas, where help can feel distant, even small increases carry heavy weight for affected families and neighborhoods. ALPR technology would provide the intelligence needed to reverse upward trends and sustain our progress.

Those who oppose ALPR often raise legitimate questions about potential overreach. These concerns deserve thoughtful dialogue, not dismissal. However, rejecting the technology outright would leave our rural communities more vulnerable. The choice is not between safety and privacy, it is about achieving both through careful implementation, clear policies and continuing oversight. The DCSO has, and will continue striking that balance for effective peacekeeping.

Our rural residents, farmers, families in small villages, and those living in unincorporated areas deserve the same level of protection as those in more densely populated communities. They should not have to accept slower response times or higher risks simply because of where they choose to live. ALPR represents a responsible, forward-thinking investment in equitable public safety across all of Dane County.

I urge our community leaders, residents and the County Board to support this resolution and the responsible deployment of ALPR technology from a trusted provider. Our deputies stand ready to serve every corner of this county, but they cannot do it alone. With the right tools, we can continue reducing crime, responding more effectively to emergencies, and ensuring that Dane County remains a safe and thriving place for all to live, work visit and raise a family.