SCOTTSDALE — Scottsdale police made their case Tuesday, Oct. 6, for keeping the city’s Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras, telling the City Council the system helps solve crimes and find missing people, KTAR News reported.
“ALPR saves lives,” Assistant Chief Chris Watson said, adding that the technology helps identify violent offenders, recover stolen vehicles and link serial crimes. He said Scottsdale’s system does not use facial recognition, captures only plates and limited vehicle details on public roads, and is subject to retention limits, restricted access and audits.
Mayor Lisa Borowsky, who asked for the discussion, said she worries the network of 83 cameras running around the clock goes beyond the intermittent observation courts have allowed and could be abused. “What’s next? Why don’t we put readers in every single person’s car?” she asked.
The license plate readers have become a flashpoint as several Arizona cities have ended their Flock contracts over surveillance concerns. The council made no decision and plans to take up the issue again Dec. 1.
Sources: KTAR News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Tony Webster / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
