THE ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS DEFENDING THE USE OF AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE SCANNERS IN BATTLING CRIME. THAT IN LIGHT OF AN A-C-L-U REPORT THAT SAYS POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE USING THE SCANNERS TO COMPILE INFORMATION ON DRIVERS. A-P-D'S TASIA MARTINEZ TELLS 770 KKOB THE DATABASE IS DELETED EVERY SIX MONTHS. AND SHE SAYS THE DATABASE ISN'T SEARCHED UNLESS IT'S RELATED TO A CRIME. MARTINEZ SAYS THE INFORMATION IS MOSTLY USED IN BATTLING AUTO THEFT, BUT THAT IT CAN ALSO HELP IN INVESTIGATING MAJOR VIOLENT CRIMES.
THE ACLU IS OPPOSED TO APD DELETING INFORMATION IT'S GATHERED WITH THE SCANNERS AFTER SIX MONTHS. ACLU NEW MEXICO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PETER SIMONSON SAYS OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS DELETE SUCH INFORMATION EVERY 24 HOURS.
