If you’ve recently parked at a Vend location, you probably noticed cameras at the entrance or exit, and you might be wondering what they’re for. Rest assured—these cameras aren’t there to monitor your every move. They’re part of a system called License Plate Recognition (LPR), which is designed to make your parking experience faster, easier, and completely touchless. While it’s natural to have questions about any technology involving cameras, LPR is a widely used and legal tool found everywhere from highways to hospitals, and Vend uses it with your privacy in mind. LPR is not only common—it’s secure, efficient, and respectful of your personal information.

What Is License Plate Recognition?

License Plate Recognition (LPR) is a technology that uses cameras and software to capture and identify license plate numbers. In the context of parking, this allows for faster, hands-free entry and exit, as well as accurate enforcement and streamlined payments.

Instead of pulling a ticket, scanning an app, or fumbling with a payment kiosk, your vehicle is recognized automatically, making your parking experience faster and more convenient.

You Already Encounter LPR Every Day

LPR isn’t new or exclusive to Vend. In fact, you likely pass by LPR cameras multiple times a day without realizing it.

Here are just a few examples:

• Highway tolling systems – Toll roads like E-ZPass, FasTrak, and SunPass use LPR to identify vehicles and charge drivers without requiring them to stop.
  
  
• Traffic enforcement – Many cities use LPR for red-light cameras, speed enforcement in school zones, and to identify stolen vehicles or those with expired registrations.
  
  
• Law enforcement – Police departments use LPR-equipped vehicles and roadside cameras to monitor for Amber Alerts, wanted vehicles, or outstanding violations.
  
  
• Apartment complexes and HOAs – Residential communities use LPR to grant access to residents, monitor guest vehicles, and enhance security.
  
  
• Universities and hospitals – These campuses use LPR to manage permit enforcement and visitor access without the need for gate attendants or physical hangtags.
  
  
• Retail centers and airports – Malls, grocery stores, and airport parking structures use LPR for customer convenience and to streamline operations.
  
  

This widespread use demonstrates that LPR is not a fringe or invasive practice—it’s a mainstream, highly effective tool that makes transportation systems work more smoothly.

Is It Legal to Use LPR on Private Property?

Yes. Parking facilities, such as shopping centers, office buildings, or residential complexes, are private property, and the use of cameras for access and security purposes is fully legal. In fact, LPR technology is often more secure and less invasive than traditional access systems that require personal interaction or the storage of other personal data.

Your Privacy Matters to Us

At Vend, we take your privacy seriously. While our system uses your license plate to help automate your parking session, we do not sell yor data or share personal information for any commercial or marketing purpose unrelated to the activation, enhancement, research, services and delivery of Vend Products and Services. Your information is used solely for operational purposes, such as determining when you enter and exit a facility to calculate the appropriate fee or to verify a reservation.

We follow all applicable data privacy laws and maintain strong security protocols to ensure that your information is protected.

For more details on our data and privacy policies, view the Vend Park privacy policy.

Why We Use LPR

We use license plate recognition for a simple reason: to make parking better for you. Benefits include:

• Faster entry and exit – No lines, tickets, or hardware to deal with.
  
  
• Improved security – Vehicles are automatically logged, helping property owners maintain a safe environment.
  

• Touchless convenience – Perfect for busy drivers, bad weather, or when your hands are full.
  
  
• Accurate billing – No more disputes over how long you stayed.
  
  

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The cameras you see at Vend Park facilities aren’t there to watch you; they’re there to improve your parking experience. LPR is a secure, legal, and widely used technology that makes parking faster, easier, and smarter. And above all, we promise this: your privacy is protected.

If you ever have questions about how our technology works or how your data is used, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Transparency and trust are core to everything we do.