Fairfax County, VA– This November marks four years since the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) launched its License Plate Reader (LPR) program, an initiative that has become an important tool in protecting our community, locating missing persons, and solving crimes.

Public Safety Impact

Since its inception in 2022, the program has grown through thoughtful implementation, community engagement, and a commitment to transparency and accountability. Today, LPR technology provides officers and detectives with critical investigative information, helping them respond more effectively to criminal activity while maintaining strong safeguards to protect individual privacy.

Over the past four years, the results demonstrate the program’s impact on public safety. LPR technology has contributed to positive outcomes in 1,670 criminal cases, the recovery of 578 stolen vehicles valued at more than $9.4 million, and the recovery of nearly $800,000 in additional stolen property. These investigations have resulted in 947 arrests and 2,692 criminal charges, including 1,776 felony charges. The technology has also assisted in 162 narcotics investigations, the recovery of 68 firearms, and, perhaps most importantly, locating 60 missing persons. Behind these numbers are victims reunited with stolen property, dangerous offenders apprehended, and families reunited with loved ones.

Transparency and Accountability

As conversations surrounding LPR technology continue nationally, FCPD recognizes the importance of balancing effective law enforcement tools with the privacy expectations of our community. From the beginning, our program has incorporated safeguards designed to ensure responsible use, including 100% auditing of LPR searches, strict access controls, required investigative justifications, supervisory oversight, and limited data retention. Our policies prohibit using LPR technology for immigration enforcement, and searches must be connected to authorized law enforcement purposes. To learn more about our LPR program, visit our RTCC Transparency Page. We remain committed to evaluating our policies, strengthening safeguards, and maintaining transparency as technology and public expectations evolve.

Looking Ahead

Four years later, our commitment remains unchanged: use technology responsibly to make Fairfax County safer. The success of our LPR program reflects the dedication of our officers, detectives, Real Time Crime Center personnel, and community partners who work every day to protect those we serve. As we look toward the future, FCPD will continue to evaluate emerging technologies, listen to community concerns, and maintain the accountability that has guided this program since its beginning. The results of the past four years demonstrate that effective policing, innovation, and strong privacy protections can work together to deliver meaningful public safety outcomes.

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