DeKalb police officers will soon tap into private license plate readers stationed in communities across the county.
The county commission voted 7-0 Tuesday to approve an agreement with Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based company that markets itself as a crime-solving tool for neighborhoods.
Read the full article at AJC.
Summary of DeKalb County’s Access to Private License Plate Readers
Quick Overview
DeKalb County has authorized its police department to access private license plate readers (LPRs) installed in various communities. This decision, made by a unanimous county commission vote, aims to enhance crime-fighting capabilities by utilizing technology from Flock Safety, a local company specializing in neighborhood security solutions.
Key Points
- Access to Private LPRs: The DeKalb County Police Department will now have access to license plate data collected by privately-owned cameras in neighborhoods.
- Partnership with Flock Safety: The initiative is a result of a partnership with Flock Safety, which provides LPRs capable of reading license plates from significant distances and speeds.
- Community Involvement: Neighborhoods can voluntarily opt into this partnership, allowing police to use the data for specific investigations rather than routine monitoring.
- No Cost to the County: The agreement poses no financial burden on DeKalb County, as the installation and maintenance costs are covered by the participating communities.
- Focus on Crime Investigation: Police officials emphasize that the cameras will be used strictly for investigating specific crimes, not for tracking the movements of everyday drivers.
Detailed Breakdown
Access to License Plate Data
The DeKalb County Police Department’s new access to private LPRs is seen as a significant step in modernizing crime-fighting efforts. The technology allows for the logging of license plate numbers from vehicles passing by at speeds of up to 75 mph, both during the day and at night. This capability enables law enforcement to gather critical data during investigations.
Partnership with Flock Safety
Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based company, markets its LPRs as tools for enhancing neighborhood safety. The cameras can capture license plates from a distance of up to 75 feet. This partnership represents a growing trend of public-private collaborations in law enforcement, where local communities take an active role in enhancing their security infrastructure.
Community Involvement and Costs
The decision allows neighborhoods to voluntarily participate in the program, fostering a sense of community engagement in local safety initiatives. Since the costs are borne by the communities that choose to install the cameras, the county government is relieved from financial responsibilities.
Focused Use of Technology
Police officials have clarified that the primary use of the LPR data will be for investigating specific crimes, rather than for continuous surveillance of the general public. This distinction is crucial in addressing privacy concerns associated with surveillance technologies.
Notable Quotes & Data
- The cameras can read license plates on vehicles traveling at speeds of up to 75 mph, highlighting the advanced capabilities of the technology.
- The partnership was approved by a unanimous vote of 7-0 from the county commission, indicating strong local government support for the initiative.
Context & Implications
The decision to allow police access to private LPRs occurs amid broader discussions about public safety, community policing, and privacy rights. As technology increasingly becomes a tool for law enforcement, the balance between effective crime prevention and individual privacy remains a contentious issue. The DeKalb initiative may serve as a model for other jurisdictions considering similar partnerships, but it also raises questions about the potential for misuse of surveillance data and the implications for civil liberties.
In conclusion, DeKalb County’s new policy on private license plate readers represents a proactive approach to crime prevention through community involvement and technological integration. However, it will be essential for local authorities to maintain transparency and accountability to ensure that the benefits of such initiatives do not come at the cost of residents’ privacy rights.