ASU Police Department Technology FAQ

Safety systems across campus

What are blue light emergency call boxes? 

Blue light emergency call boxes are located on ASU campuses and provide two-way communication between the person pressing the button and ASU Police dispatch. They can be identified by a blue light on top of a pole or by a maroon square pole with the word "Emergency" printed on the side.

Some maroon square poles also include built-in security cameras. When an emergency call is made, the Real Time Crime Analysis Center may be able to access the camera feed to support the response.

Can someone press a call box to be monitored while walking at night?

No. Emergency call boxes are intended for emergency response and require an officer response. People looking for a monitored safe walk or safety escort service should use the GoSafe feature in the LiveSafe app.

Why does ASU Police use safety and security cameras? 

ASU Police use the cameras for enhanced campus safety, support emergency response, investigate crimes, and provide evidence when incidents occur.

What is ASU's video security policy?

ASU uses video surveillance to deter and detect crime and protect people and property. Security cameras must be maintained within the university’s centralized enterprise video management system and network. Any cameras used for monitoring, awareness, or deterrence must operate within the ASU’s management system. Please refer to PDP201-06: Governing Electronic Safety and Security Systems.

Where are the cameras located? 

Security cameras are located in and on most university-owned buildings and campuses, typically in public or common areas. These cameras help ASU Police meet their Clery Act obligations.

20 automatic license plate readers are located on public streets surrounding and running through university property on the Tempe campus. 

Are the cameras on the malls with solar panels over them license plate readers?

No. There are no license plate readers on the campus malls. The cameras seen on the malls using solar panels are security cameras and have no license plate reader capabilities. There are 20 license plate readers installed on public streets, surrounding and running through campus.

Are cameras monitored live? 

Cameras may be viewed in real time when responding to emergencies, criminal activity, or other legitimate public safety incidents. 

Are cameras used to watch or track people?  

No. ASU Police does not use security cameras to surveil or track individuals unless the person poses an active threat to public safety or is in the process of committing a crime, such as stealing an e-scooter.

Who can access camera footage? 

Only authorized ASU personnel with a legitimate business or law enforcement need can access the camera footage.  

Are the cameras recorded 24 hours a day?

Yes, by default data is retained for 30 days.  

Are the cameras monitored?

No. ASU has more than 5,000 cameras, and not every camera is actively monitored. However, Real Time Crime Analysis Center staff are available nearly 24 hours a day and can access cameras in response to calls or public safety incidents.

How long is video retained? 

By default, security camera footage and license plate reader data are retained for 30 days. The data is accessible only to authorized ASU Police personnel for official law enforcement purposes in accordance with policy and law.

Is camera footage secure? 

Yes. Video and related data are securely stored and protected against unauthorized access. 

Does ASU Police use facial recognition? 

No, ASU Police does not use facial recognition software on any of its cameras. 

Is camera footage shared with other law enforcement agencies? 

ASU Police shares license plate reader data with local municipalities, counties and state law enforcement agencies for law enforcement purposes. Live feeds of some of the security camera footage is shared with the Tempe Police department. If recordings are available otherwise, they may be shared with other law enforcement entities in response to an official request related to an investigation.

Can members of the public request camera footage? 

Yes. Requests for camera footage may be submitted through a public records request under the Arizona Public Records Law or the Freedom of Information Act but may only be limited to the 30-days of normal retention. Requests are processed in accordance with the University's standard public records procedures and will be subject to applicable exemptions, redactions, and processing fees.

How does ASU Police protect privacy? 

ASU is a public university, and cameras are generally located in common areas where there is typically a limited expectation of privacy. Cameras are positioned and used with the intent of supporting campus safety and security, not to capture activity in areas or circumstances where an individual would reasonably expect privacy.

What are Flock cameras, and what information do they collect? 

Flock cameras are a brand of automatic license plate reader. Their purpose is to view and record license plates, and vehicle make and model that pass in front of their view. This data is only used for criminal justice purposes and investigations.

Where are the license plate reader cameras located? 

ASU Police uses 20 license plate readers on public streets surrounding and running through campus. There are no license plate readers on the campus malls.

Why are there license plate readers on the malls throughout campus?

There are no license plate readers on the campus malls. The cameras seen on the malls using solar panels are security cameras and have no license plate reader capabilities.

How long is the data from license plate readers retained?   

By default, the retention of the data is 30 days. It is accessible only to authorized ASU Police personnel for official law enforcement purposes in accordance with policy and law. 

Are Flock cameras used to monitor students?

No. These cameras are license plate readers and positioned with the purpose of capturing details of passing vehicles, not individuals. 

Does ASU Police audit their Flock usage?

Yes. ASU Police conducts audits to support compliance with law and policy. If an audit identifies possible misuse, the department conducts a thorough investigation. Discipline, up to and including termination, and potential criminal charges may be considered.

Why does ASU insist on using Flock cameras when other communities have stopped?

ASU Police uses Flock cameras as one tool to support public safety and criminal investigations. Since the cameras were installed, ASU Police has used the technology to help solve crimes, including assaults, burglaries and a shooting. Some incidents were not directly related to campus, but the ability to support investigations demonstrates the broader public safety value of the technology and reflects ASU's commitment to a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and surrounding communities.

Does ASU Police share license plate reader data?

ASU Police only shares this data with local municipal, county and state law enforcement agencies for criminal justice purposes and investigations.

Does ASU use mobile license plate readers?

Yes, Parking and Transit uses mobile license plate readers. This information is not shared with ASU Police at this time. 

Does ASU Police use a drone and for what purpose?

Yes, ASU Police does have a drone program. Drones provide an arial perspective to help quickly assess incidents and support response decisions. 

Does the drone have AI facial recognition?

No. The ASU Police drone operates in the same way our security cameras do. They are used to quickly assess and monitor a situation with human involvement. They are not used to identify people.

What is the purpose of the Drone as First Responder program? 

ASU Police’s Drone as First Responder program allows the department to deploy a drone to the scene of an incident in response to a call for service or other public safety need. The drone can provide authorized personnel with real-time aerial information to help assess the situation, improve situational awareness, identify potential hazards, and provide responding personnel with relevant information as they arrive on scene.