TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, Interim City Manager
FROM: Trevor Womack, Chief of Police
SUBJECT:
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An update from the Salem Police Department regarding several key department programs and services: automated license plate recognition, online crime reporting, policy review completion, and electronic traffic enforcement cameras.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe Community; Safe, Welcoming and Livable Community
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SUMMARY:
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The report outlines various Salem Police Department programs and services which correspond with several department strategic plan objectives to increase community safety, livability, efficiency, and transparency, and key Council goals for a safe community and a welcoming and livable community.
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ISSUE:
Informational report only.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Informational report only.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Automated License Plate Recognition Program
The department is expanding the use of automated license plate recognition (ALPR) technology. The program includes stationary cameras and in-car cameras in patrol vehicles to capture license plates of passing vehicles. The system identifies stolen or wanted vehicles, stolen license plates, and better supports criminal investigations and successful prosecutions.
Only license plate information is collected. The system does not use facial recognition technology and does not have automated access or cross-indexing with other databases. The license plate information acquired can only be used for official law enforcement purposes. Accountability measures and safeguards ensure the procedural and technological protection of access and use of the data.
The ALPR policy is attached for reference.
Online Crime Reporting
The department is prepared to launch an enhanced online reporting system for community members in late May 2025. The system, known as the Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS), has several benefits including more efficient allocation of staff time, user convenience, streamlined processing, data-driven insights, and evidence management.
Policy Review Project Completion
As previously reported to Council in July 2024, the department has been conducting an extensive review of its policies and procedures with the company Lexipol to ensure they meet legal and accreditation standards, incorporate recognized best practices, and reflect the tenets of procedural justice.
The project is complete, and the updated policies are now posted online. In addition to increased transparency and accountability, the publication of police policies enables the community to understand the standards and expectations of the Salem Police from its entire staff, both sworn and professional.
Electronic Traffic Enforcement
The department has expanded its electronic traffic enforcement program, which includes red light and speed enforcement at six intersections having higher traffic volume and rates of violations and crashes.
In 2024, speed violation detection was added to the existing red light enforcement systems at (1) Commercial ST and Marion ST NE and (2) Mission ST and 25th ST SE locations. These intersections and approaches are on Oregon Department of Transportation right-of-way, requiring their coordination and permission before system installation and activation.
In May 2025, two additional speed and red light violation approaches were added to the existing electronic enforcement systems at (1) Commercial ST and Madrona ST SE and (2) Commercial ST and Kuebler BV SE. With these installations, budgetary authority and staffing capacity for the program is nearly exhausted.
A study to identify other potential intersections for the system has been completed, but further expansion will require additional budget authority and staff.
The system was recently acquired by a new vendor, Verra Mobility, and staff have worked with the company and internal partners to ensure a continuity of operations. Although the process to assess additional system expansion has taken longer than expected, it is near completion.
The electronic traffic enforcement policy is attached for reference.
BACKGROUND:
Automated License Plate Recognition Program
The Salem Police Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) program was initiated in the mid-2000s. The first cameras were affixed to three patrol cars and were primarily used to locate stolen vehicles.
However, limitations to the effectiveness of the patrol car-mounted cameras were soon identified. The cameras were only effective if the patrol cars were in use; therefore, cameras on vehicles taken offline for maintenance or repairs were not usable. Additionally, the cameras were only effective for vehicles close enough for the camera to detect a license plate.
In the early 2020’s, the department began adding additional cameras which are location-based rather than patrol vehicle-based. This expansion allowed investigators to broaden the effectiveness and purpose of the cameras from solely looking for stolen vehicles to focusing on community violence and organized crime.
Additional funding was obtained through state grants to increase the number of ALPR cameras within the Salem area. These cameras now play an integral role in the department’s Community Violence Reduction Initiative, leveraging technology to help identify and arrest those engaged in the most violent of crimes occurring in the community.
While cameras do have an upfront purchase cost and may incur monthly expenses related to transmitting data from the camera to the server, these costs have been reduced over time by deactivating cameras not currently needed and finding alternative methods to transmit data to the server.
The images gathered by the cameras are transmitted and stored in a searchable database. All camera data is stored according to retention policies: 365 days for data collected via patrol cars and 60 days for stationary camera systems. Access to and searches of the systems are logged and tracked. Regular audits, along with department policy, guide the use of the system and ensure it is being used properly and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The system does not utilize facial recognition and does not have automated functions, such as automatically running license plates through the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) databases. All license plates must still be verified by an investigator and then individually queried through the appropriate database.
As part of the Community Violence Reduction Initiative, the department has partnered with other local law enforcement agencies through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA). The IGA shares the cost of the program, as well as expands the capacity by connecting cameras to one shared server, creating a regional camera system.
Online Crime Reporting
For more than ten years, the department has faced significant challenges in sustaining an effective online reporting platform for community use. Moving to the Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) improves the user experience through the use of current technology and online conveniences, while adding to department efficiency and system integration. Benefits include:
Improved user experience: Community members can conveniently file a police report on any computer device at any time. The system allows for sections of a report to be completed over time and offers the uploading of digital evidence. Items, such as images, can now be submitted by the user; a feature previously unavailable.
Efficient allocation of staff time: Enhanced online reporting reduces the time officers spend on non-urgent incidents, allowing them to focus on calls requiring immediate intervention. The system also significantly reduces the volume of emails and in-person communications, freeing up staff for other tasks. Once a report is submitted, the information is verified by a telephone reporting office specialist who then routes the reports for follow up investigation, as appropriate, and easily enters data into our records management system.
Data-driven insights: DORS integrates with our online crime mapping tools to provide insight into crime trends, helping the department focus its limited patrol and investigative resources.
Evidence Management: The system better integrates with our digital evidence management software to facilitate the submission of critical evidence in a timely manner. The evidence can then be categorized by evidence technicians and evaluated in totality with the case.
Policy Review Project Completion
The process to review the more than 200 policies involved the integration of industry standards for operations and nationwide policy language into our department’s current policies. The successful completion of the project was due to the commitment and cooperation of staff members and representatives of the police union who contributed their time and expertise to ensure effective policies are in place. Several policies with a community-centered focus were also reviewed and discussed with community members through the Advisory Council to the Chief and Community Police Review Board. Going forward, soliciting community input for new or revised policies that impact police-community trust will be a standard part of the process.
With the completion of this comprehensive review, update, and logical reorganization,
the complete manual is now, for the first time, published online and is part of the Salem Police Department Transparency Portal.
Electronic Traffic Enforcement
The Salem Police Department has operated a photographic traffic enforcement program since 2008. Initially, the program was limited to the detection of red light violations, but in 2019 the program expanded to also identify speed violations. The system is currently installed at the following six intersections.
• Center ST at Hawthorne AV NE
• Commercial ST at Kuebler BV SE
• Commercial ST at Madrona AV SE
• Commercial at Marion STS SE
• Mission at 25th STS SE
• Silverton at Fisher RDS NE
Since the implementation of the program, we have seen an overall decrease in crashes at the program intersections. Additionally, other than in 2024, the rate of violations captured has had a general downward trend.
The department’s portion of the program is overseen by a lieutenant and a sergeant who supervise six auxiliary (part-time) officers. Between the six officers, photographic traffic enforcement work is conducted approximately five days a week.
In order to successfully implement the program, the department works closely with City of Salem Municipal Court and Budget Office staff to ensure all processes adhere to expectations and capacities.
Further details about this program are provided to the state legislature biennially in a comprehensive report which can be found on the Salem Police Transparency Portal.
Trevor Womack
Chief of Police
Attachments:
1. Salem Police Department Policy 423 Automated License Plate Recognition
2. Salem Police Department Policy 507 Electronic Traffic Enforcement Program