Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

The Redmond Police Department announced it has integrated automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) in an attempt to increase the city’s safety, but the Trans-led nonprofit, Diversity Alliance of the Puget Sound (DAPS), issued a statement citing concerns with increased surveillance under the guise of safety just ahead of Redmond Pride 2025 on August 30. 

DAPS operates its own safety program for Pride events, called Securing Our Own People (SOOP), and has been in close collaboration with Pride Across the Bridge (PAB), which hosts the Redmond Pride event, to talk about the possible impact of the ALRP program on attendees. 

“Since we became aware of the rollout last week, DAPS/SOOP has been actively working to gather information. We have sent formal inquiries to City officials and the Redmond Police Department and are coordinating with PAB, their community partners, and legal advisors to understand how this program was implemented, whether it complied with Washington State law, and how it may affect community members attending major events in Redmond,” DAPS said. 

Redmond Pride has been pivotal to Queer joy and representation on the Eastside, as some are unable to travel to Seattle for the massive June festivities. Showing support and inclusivity on the Eastside is crucial during a time when LGBTQIA+ rights are being attacked and stripped away, with marriage equality now at risk of being overturned. 

The Redmond Police Department claims the ALPRs allow officers to respond to incidents more quickly, like public safety issues, missing persons reports, and crime. 

“These cameras automatically alert officers and analysts when a vehicle linked to a crime, missing person, stolen vehicle, or other critical incident is detected. Before any action is taken, every alert is verified and confirmed to ensure the information is accurate and valid,” Redmond Police said. 

According to the department, ALPRs will only be used in public spaces, there is no facial recognition or “random surveillance,” and that vehicle information that does not pop-up an alert is not stored. 

“It’s important to note that these technologies are not intended for general surveillance. We use them solely to track vehicles involved in crimes or emergencies, ensuring that privacy and individual rights are always protected,” Chief Darrell Lowe said. 

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been obtaining public records requests on how police departments nationwide use ALPRs since 2012, and have received thousands of document pages outlining how these systems are being utilized. 

“The documents paint a startling picture of a technology deployed with too few rules that is becoming a tool for mass routine location tracking and surveillance. As the technology spreads, the ACLU calls for the adoption of legislation and law enforcement agency policies adhering to strict privacy principles to prevent the government from tracking our movements on a massive scale,” the ACLU said. 

DAPS will update the public through its social media channels on any developments ahead of Redmond Pride 2025.