Where License Plate Cameras are Tracking Drivers in South Jersey

Sure, cameras are everywhere these days, but maybe there's one type of surveillance that isn't at the top of your mind too often.

We're talking about license plate readers.

What Are License Plate Readers?

License plate reading cameras are just that -- they are small cameras mounted on the side of a road at a relatively low level, and all they do around the clock, thousands of times every day, is scan and/or take pictures of license plates.

And like everything else, there's a good side and a dark side to this technology.

How Police Use License Plate Cameras

"LPRs," as they are often called, can aid law enforcement agencies. They can track cars entering and leaving a town, and if a vehicle that is wanted or stolen passes one of those cameras, cops can be alerted to its location. That's a good thing.

But if you take that one step farther, it can get a little creepy for some.

License Plate Cameras in Shore Communities

For example, many island communities here at the Jersey Shore have LPRs on every way in and out of their little community. In other words, if you want to go to the beach, someone is intentionally taking a picture of your car, and they can figure out who you are and where you are from with almost no effort.

And, no, you can't opt out of this surveillance since (a) you are, technically, in a public place (on a road) and (b) state law makes it illegal for you to obstruct your license plate.

One could, again, in theory, build a massive database of information that, thanks to AI, can list every car and its typical location at a specific time.

How Businesses Use License Plate Data

On the other hand, many businesses utilize license plate readers to track their customers, particularly in identifying shoplifters. LPRs combined with in-store cameras can really crack down on those stealing stuff — but it can also be used to track the habits of legitimate customers.

A simple scan of your license plate will reveal your name and address, and, combined with how often you are visiting a store (the camera can show that) and whatever information you've given them when you joined their frequent shopper club, all of that information is quite lucrative to a big company.

If all of those sounds like tin-foil-hat-wearing lunacy, I'll be the first to admit that it does, but here in the year 2026, it's happening right now, right in front of you.

Who Has Access to This Data?

Below, we picked ten spots in South Jersey where license plate reading cameras are tracking your every move (there are many, many more). And, no, we're not revealing any top-secret FBI-type technology here -- all of these cameras are in plain view, and numerous spots on the internet list them all.

But ask yourself this question -- who has access to all of this information (your local police department or a private company?) and what are they doing with it?

Chris Coleman, a South Jersey native, is the brand manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM and afternoon on-air personality on WPUR Cat Country 107.3 in Atlantic City, NJ. He joined the station in February 1998 and covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey for Townsquare Media. Story tips can be sent to chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com .

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