In 2025, 28,229 Texas children were reported missing. Among them, 62 were confirmed serious abductions that required AMBER alerts. For law enforcement, these cases turn a routine day into a race against time.
When a child is missing, a human trafficking victim is moved across county lines, or a suspect flees the scene of a deadly hit and run, every minute matters.
That’s why Texas law enforcement must have access to every responsible, effective tool available to protect our communities, including one of the most valuable resources in recent years - License Plate Reader (LPR) technology.
LPR systems use cameras to capture license plates on public roadways, helping officers identify vehicles associated with reported crimes in real time. When a detected license plate corresponds with an entry in a wanted vehicle database, including stolen vehicles or AMBER Alert suspects, officers receive an immediate notification, allowing them to act quickly when it matters most.
In human trafficking or kidnapping cases, victims can be quickly transported through countless jurisdictions. Traditional investigative methods can quickly become obsolete, reliant entirely on interviews and witness accounts. With LPR technology, law enforcement officers can identify suspect vehicles, track routes, and ultimately find and recover victims far faster than they could without this modern tool.
Across the country, license plate readers are being used in thousands of communities to solve serious crimes from sex trafficking to fatal DWI incidents. And while Texas is a tough-on-crime state committed to seeking justice for victims and punishing criminals, some state and municipal leaders are questioning the need for law enforcement to use LPRs.
The Texas Municipal Police Association is the voice of Texas law enforcement officers, representing over 35,000 law enforcement personnel at the local, county, and state levels.
On behalf of those officers who are responsible for protecting the safety of Texans, we will continue to advocate for LPRs at City Council meetings and at the State Capitol, reminding policymakers that these systems identify vehicles tied to crimes, not individuals.
And while we support limits on data sharing and storage, overly restricting the use of this technology is the equivalent of prioritizing criminals over victims and allowing them to get away with heinous crimes that this technology can help us stop. We will continue that work in the upcoming session, urging lawmakers to adopt a sensible, balanced policy that provides officers with effective tools while ensuring transparency and accountability. Public safety and public trust are not competing priorities. They go hand in hand, and thoughtful policymaking can achieve both.
Smart, responsible use of LPR technology won’t replace good policing by our officers across the state, but it will make it more effective. And in this line of work, that can mean the difference between tragedy and a life saved.
Kevin has served as executive director since 2010, following a decade as deputy executive director, and brings more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, including leadership roles with multiple Texas police departments and service on TMPA’s board. He remains active in advocating for Texas law enforcement through statewide outreach and legislative work, and holds a Master Peace Officer Certification and TCOLE Instructor’s License.
.png)
