Surveillance Showdown In Knox County, Emergency Ordinance Limiting Electronic Snooping

Image Credit: Canva.

Article by David Seal, Tennessee Conservative News –

Concerned citizens will have the opportunity to participate in a public forum during the Knox County Commission Meeting on August 31, 2026, provided they follow the rules for giving public comment.

Many citizens in Knox and other counties in Tennessee want to see an end to unwarranted surveillance by electronic ALPR cameras.

“The Commission’s public forum is primarily designated for Knox County citizens and property owners.  Those who live outside of Knox County may speak to Commissioners at the discretion of the Chair. Individuals or groups seeking to address the Commission during Public Forum should register by contacting the Commission Office via telephone (865-215-2534) or e-mail  no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day prior to the scheduled meeting or by speaking with the Commission Vice Chair or the Commission Office Manager in person prior to the start of the meeting.” – Knox County Public Forum Page

A link is provided here for the full text of the rules to address the county commission.

Among the many groups that are following the issue of unwarranted surveillance is Knox for Liberty (KFL). Their call-to-action and graphic image are pictured below.

KFL posted the following call to action on their social media page.  “Call 865-215-2534 TODAY and sign up to speak during the public comments. If you don’t want to speak, just show up to support those who are and let our local officials know that we are watching.”

The Emergency Ordinance Resolution O-26-8-102 is item 55 on the meeting agenda, which places limits on the use of unwarranted surveillance devices. The resolution states in part:

SECTION 3. PROHIBITION OF FIXED ALPR SYSTEMS

No department, office, agency, board, commission, employee, or instrumentality of Knox County government shall:

Purchase;

Lease;

Acquire;

Install;

Operate;

Maintain; or

Renew any contract or agreement for any Fixed Automated License Plate Reader system.

No county-owned property, rights-of-way, buildings, bridges, traffic infrastructure, utility poles, or other county facilities shall be used for the installation or operation of a Fixed ALPR system.

Any existing agreement authorizing the operation of a Fixed ALPR system shall expire according to its existing terms and shall not be renewed or extended.

The proposed ordinance allows for limited use of ALPR System[s] and drone technology in mobile applications with certain provisions.

SECTION 4. AUTHORIZED MOBILE ALPR SYSTEMS

Nothing in this Ordinance shall prohibit the Knox County Sheriff’s Office from utilizing Mobile ALPR systems, provided that:

A. The system is installed only upon a Sheriff’s Office vehicle.

B. A sworn deputy is physically present in or immediately operating the vehicle whenever the ALPR system is collecting information.

C. The system shall not collect or record license plate information while the vehicle is unattended.

D. Mobile ALPR equipment shall not be deployed or utilized as a stationary or unattended surveillance device.

The full text of the 6-page Knox County Emergency Resolution is linked HERE.

The meeting agenda is linked HERE.

About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.