The Cache County Sheriff is participating in a short-term project with Motorola Company to test license plate readers, according to a social media post issued Friday, Oct. 30.
Sheriff Chad Jensen stated the initiative is an opportunity to better understand technology that may assist in keeping communities safe. Jensen noted that he would not install a product that would endanger his own family or the community, and his role is to review tools that may help solve or prevent crimes.
The pilot project involves readers that provide a photograph snapshot rather than real-time video. According to the Sheriff's office, these images may be used for Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts, or serious criminal offenses, but will not be used for parking tickets, traffic citations, or non-serious criminal activity.
Images captured through the Motorola pilot project will be retained for a maximum of nine months. Access to these photographs will be limited to the Cache County Sheriff's Office and will be used strictly for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
The use of traffic cameras has become a subject of national debate due to privacy concerns and instances of information misuse. In a separate instance, the Vineyard City Council voted unanimously this week to end its relationship with Flock safety cameras because of privacy concerns. Because the Utah County Sheriff's Office polices Vineyard, that agency would need to be involved in any changes regarding safety technology.
