The Ramapo Police Department will not move forward with a planned test of a new generation of automated license plate reader cameras, with Police Chief Daniel Hyman citing privacy concerns and the need to balance new law enforcement technology with constitutional protections.

Hyman announced the decision in a statement, explaining that the department had been preparing to test and evaluate advanced automated license plate reader, or ALPR, technology with capabilities that go significantly beyond the fixed license plate readers currently used by Ramapo Police.

The department’s existing fixed LPR cameras capture license plates of vehicles passing specific locations and can assist officers in identifying wanted or stolen vehicles and investigating crimes.

According to Hyman, the newer systems being considered can do considerably more, incorporating advanced investigative analytics and vehicle-identification capabilities. While those tools could provide significant benefits to law enforcement, Hyman said they also raise legitimate questions about privacy and the appropriate limits of government technology.

“Technology should never be adopted simply because it is available,” Hyman said. “It must serve a legitimate public-safety purpose, reflect the expectations of our community, and be balanced against the constitutional protections we are sworn to uphold.”

Hyman said he has directed the department not to proceed “at this time” with the planned test and evaluation of the advanced ALPR cameras.

The decision does not affect the traditional fixed license plate reader cameras already in use by Ramapo Police and does not represent a broader rejection of license plate reader technology.

“It is instead a recognition that not all LPR systems are the same, and that the capabilities of newer systems warrant a separate level of consideration,” Hyman said.

The chief pointed to New York State’s police reform process under Executive Order 203, saying one of its lessons was that policing should reflect the needs and expectations of each individual community.

“In Ramapo, our residents have consistently made clear that safety and security matter greatly to them,” Hyman said. “We have an obligation to provide that safety while remaining equally mindful of the constitutional rights of the people we protect and serve.”

Hyman said the department’s approach to public safety under his tenure has centered on traditional police work, modern technology and strong partnerships with the community.

“Public safety and constitutional protections should not be viewed as competing principles,” Hyman concluded. “Our responsibility is to protect both.”