AEGIS Program

AEGIS (Advanced Emergency Geo Information System) is the City of Bettendorf’s innovative citywide technology initiative, launched in 2020 to enhance public safety. Its primary goal is to improve investigative policing efforts by leveraging technology such as public cameras, license plate readers, drones, etc. to maintain the level of safety our community expects and deserves.

The need for AEGIS became evident after two critical cases that deeply impacted our community and highlighted significant challenges in investigations. Both incidents consumed extensive police resources and revealed major obstacles in obtaining quality video evidence to identify suspects and vehicles involved:

• 2018: The department struggled to identify a suspect vehicle in a hit-and-run collision that nearly claimed the life of an innocent driver.
• 2019: Investigators faced similar difficulties in identifying a vehicle connected to a homicide investigation.

These experiences underscored the importance of a proactive solution, one that ensures timely access to reliable video evidence and strengthens our ability to protect the community. AEGIS was born from that need.

AEGIS has been designed from the ground up as an additional layer of protection for our residents and visitors. During its implementation, it quickly became apparent that many offenders committing crimes in our city were not actual Bettendorf residents. These offenders were coming here to commit thefts, burglaries, property damage, and to steal motor vehicles. Between 2020 and 2025, on average, 66% of offenders arrested by the Bettendorf Police Department were NOT Bettendorf residents.

The AEGIS system has focused on the installation of video cameras in public spaces within the City of Bettendorf to include roadways, parks, public buildings, and key infrastructure points. The system focuses on deterring criminal activity by providing law enforcement with video evidence that holds offenders accountable.

Another component of the AEGIS system includes Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology. This provides officers with live alerts when vehicles on hotlists that are associated with criminal activity enter and exit our city or drive through a limited number of interior intersections. These hotlists include information on wanted persons, missing persons, felony-related vehicles, stolen plates, stolen vehicles, and vehicles involved in crimes within our community.

ALPR technology has the sole purpose to safeguard the community by allowing officers to effectively investigate crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated assault, theft, property damage, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and apprehending wanted persons. The system records images of vehicles and license plates, which are stored securely for only 30 days, then automatically deleted.  The technology does not identify drivers or passengers, nor does it utilize facial recognition.

Separating Fact from Misinformation and Disinformation

We value our community’s interest in public safety tools like Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs). Most questions come from curiosity and a desire to understand, which we welcome. However, we’ve also seen false claims circulating about how these systems work. Misinformation and disinformation can damage trust and the partnerships that keep our city safe. Our commitment is simple: transparency and accuracy. If you have questions, please reach out.  We’re here to provide clear, fact-based answers. 

What You Should Know: 

• Surveillance: ALPRs do not track individuals or create a record of everywhere someone travels. They capture images of vehicles and license plates on a public roadway. Images not linked to an investigation are automatically deleted within 30 days.
• Privacy: License plates are not private information. They are government-issued identifiers that must be visible by law.  The cameras and ALPR system do not access confidential state license plate records.
• Constitutional Rights: ALPR use is legal. State and federal courts have upheld its constitutionality.
• Personal Information: ALPR cameras do not collect names, addresses, social security numbers, or DMV records.  They only collect license plate images and vehicle details. 
• Data Sales: Data is never sold or shared with private companies. The Bettendorf Police Department owns and controls 100% of its data. 
• Data Access: Private businesses using the same vendor cannot access law enforcement data.
• Data Sharing: Data is shared only with vetted law enforcement agencies that meet our department’s standards.  Our current sharing partners include agencies within Iowa and a select number of neighboring agencies in Illinois that we hold a 28E Mutual Aid Agreement with.
• Federal Access: There is no backdoor access for federal agencies. The Bettendorf Police Department decides if and when data is shared, and currently, we do not share with any federal agency.
• Cyber Security: The Bettendorf Police Department follows strict cybersecurity protocols to protect data. Regular audits and updates are performed to prevent unauthorized access.
• Allowed Uses: Criminal investigations, call for service, warrant apprehension, missing or endangered person, lost or stolen vehicles or license plates. 
• Response to Alert: Officers are trained to visually verify that the license plate matches the license plate reader alert, and then determine if reasonable suspicion exists prior to taking enforcement action. 

Our goal: Use technology responsibly to keep our community safe while protecting your rights and privacy.