Image Credit: Austin Garrett / Facebook, Hamilton County Government & Canva.
Article by Olivia Lupia, Tennessee Conservative News –
On Monday, Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett announced his department is beginning the process of pausing Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) programs in the county, citing “tremendous concern regarding public data and potential misuse of what is captured.”
According to the sheriff’s press release, the department operates about 70 cameras across the county, run through Flock Safety and Motorola. Both programs are being halted at Garrett’s directive which was “weighed over several weeks [and] encompasses multiple factors that have contributed to this decision.”
The Sheriff added that he still believes in LPR technology and its “ability to combat criminal activity in Hamilton County and those criminals who are here to cause harm and turmoil,” but that “Command Staff will continue to work through factors of concern that led me to this decision to pause until I am confident that all areas of these concerns are addressed.”
In the meantime, Garrett is urging state and federal leaders to “begin a conversation into what is best for our state, our country, and the protection of the citizens of Hamilton County.”
Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp said the ALPR pause does not give her office any concerns, noting that she has yet to see a case in which a license plate reader provided evidence needed to secure a conviction and that the pause is unlikely to affect any pending criminal cases.
“While they have proven to be useful at times, we successfully prosecuted cases long before they existed and we will continue to successfully prosecute cases regardless of whether they continue to exist,” Wamp said.
However, though Hamilton County has officially paused its ALPR usage for the time being, the city of Chattanooga will continue its usage of ALPR cameras as the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) operates its own network independently of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
A statement from Elisa Myzal of CPD reads, “CPD operates and manages its own ALPR cameras and has policies specific to those cameras and their use that are separate form HCSO. HCSO does not control or manage CPD’s cameras in any way and the sheriff’s decision to pause its ALPR camera use does not directly impact CPD. At this time, CPD will continue to operate ALPR cameras under its existing policies and procedures. As with all CPD policies, this one is also reviewed and subject to change.”
ALPRs continue to be a source of much scrutiny and debate amongst Tennesseans, and many are pushing state lawmakers to implement strict guardrails or outright bans during the upcoming legislative session.
Federal legislation has also been proposed by Tennessee U.S Representative Tim Burchett which would bar federal agencies from purchasing or deploying mass surveillance systems and forbid local governments from using federal funds to facilitate the use of mass surveillance cameras.
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About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
