ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Police across the state are utilizing automatic license plate readers to help combat crime. “We recently had a custodial kidnapping that took place where we are able to utilize the system and resolve it without incident or injury to the parties involved, including the child. We also want to be able to utilize it in the distance for a cold case,” said Major Hollie Anderson with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). Story continues below Investigation: Suspect terrorizing Nob Hill businesses off the streets, but for how long? Community: Does New Mexico have crows or ravens? Trending: Investigation underway after evidence of 10 to 20 human skulls found at southeastern New Mexico property News: New SNAP work requirements being implemented in New Mexico This type of tech is raising privacy concerns. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) said that data is stored too long and is asking lawmakers for statewide regulations. “As more of that data is accumulated, both because there are more cameras and because the data is stored for a longer amount of time, that picture of your life becomes clearer and clearer and clearer,” said Daniel Williams with ACLU-NM. “I think that's where we really have to tend very closely to the balance between privacy and public safety.” BCSO said it has policies in place to prevent misuse. “We've also already put in place some safeguards as to how we utilize the data, when we utilize the data, and how we would share that data with anyone else that makes a request. The current vendor that we have has a 30-day retention for the records,” said Maj. Anderson. Both BCSO and the ACLU said this technology can save lives. “So I think the amber alerts are a great example of the sort of instantaneous scans that we really don't object to,” said Williams. They are hoping lawmakers can help them find a middle ground. “We want to make sure that we don't violate anybody's privacy, but we want to make sure that we also have the option to provide the best service to the community that we can with the technology that we're investing in,” said Maj. Anderson. Lawmakers may bring this up at the next legislative session. That's set to begin on January 21, 2025.