As many communities in the Bay Area have done in the last several years, the Stanford Department of Public Safety will begin installing license plate recognition cameras at campus entrances in the coming weeks.

Unlike traffic light cameras, the slightly larger than cell-phone-sized cameras will take still images as cars pass by including capturing the car’s license plate, the make and model of the vehicle, and occasionally identifying features such as a bumper sticker in a contrasting color to the vehicle. 

Data from the cameras is useful for the investigation of vehicle burglary or other crimes where a vehicle is reportedly involved, said Chief Laura Wilson, director of the Stanford Department of Public Safety.

“Ensuring the safety and security of campus is our top priority,” Wilson said. “Multiple, high-impact incidents on campus in the last year involved vehicles. This technology will help us improve our ability to provide a safe environment for everyone in the campus community.” 

Several communities around Stanford, including the cities of Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Jose, and Redwood City, already use license plate recognition cameras. Once installed, they serve as both a crime deterrent and provide real-time alerts if a stolen or wanted vehicle enters an area. 

According to DPS, the cameras are not designed to capture the images of drivers or passengers and will not be used for moving violations. While some agencies share data collected across the Flock platform, DPS does not plan to provide access to any other agencies. 

Additional information about the cameras and policies around use of footage is available on the Stanford Flock cameras website.