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Hot list
Also known as: BOLO list, watchlist
A list of license plates flagged for automatic alerts when seen by an LPR — used for stolen vehicles, AMBER Alerts, and active investigations.
How hot lists are populated
Hot lists are typically pulled from NCIC (stolen vehicles, wanted persons), state warrant databases, AMBER and Silver alerts, and agency-defined custom lists. Custom lists are the source of most controversy: there is often little oversight over who can add a plate and why.
What happens on a hit
When an LPR captures a plate that matches the hot list, the system pushes a real-time alert to dispatch or to nearby patrol units. The hit triggers a response — but the alert itself is not legal cause for a stop; an officer must independently verify the match and develop reasonable suspicion.