Purchase of more license plate reader cameras approved in Decatur

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Decatur leaders have unanimously approved the purchase of additional license plate reader cameras.

In March of 2021, the city voted to install 60 of the cameras. Tuesday night's vote means another 40 will be installed in areas that don't have them.

"Its a technology tool that law enforcement and cities across the country are using to combat the rising crime," Chief Shane Brandel told WAND News.

Chief Brandel said his officers used Flock cameras in July of 2021, when an eight year old was shot on East Division Street.

Investigators used the cameras again months later to solve a homicide on the east side.

"We were able to get suspect information incredibly quick. We may or may not have gotten that information without Flock. But with Flock it put us on the suspects right away, where we were able to make arrests right away," Chief Brandel explained.

His officers now use Flock cameras almost daily to assist in their investigations.

"Everyone wants to feel safe where they live. And these cameras give the Decatur Police Department, and the officers, a tool to help people stay safe," Councilman David Horn explained.

He and other council members unanimously approved buying 40 more of the automatic license plate readers. But the ACLU of Illinois said city council may want to reconsider the move.

"If I know where you go- I know a lot about you. And so therefore the ability to track someone's car through their license plate is an extraordinarily powerful surveillance tool. And what folks are generally asking for is specific protections of privacy and regulations to ensure their privacy isn't violated," Ed Yohnka, Director of Communications and Public Policy at the ACLU of Illinois told WAND News.

Council members did note, that while many neighbors are asking for these cameras to be installed- they are currently concentrated in communities of color.

"They would like to see them throughout the city, and not just on the east side. They would like to see them on the north side and more on the west side- so that they're all over the city, because we have crime throughout the city and not just in one particular neighborhood," Councilman Dennis Cooper explained.

A Flock representative said the cameras have made a difference in fighting Decatur crime.

"That just helps capture the the vehicle evidence needed to solve crime," said Josh Thomas of Flock Safety. "I think it's really important to note this is about capturing the evidence for police to solve crime, not creating a big database. In fact, all the data permanently deletes every 30 days on a rolling basis. There is no facial recognition technology. This is the ethical way for us to use technology to solve crime."

Thomas said Flock works with law enforcement to choose where cameras will be placed.

The vote by Decatur City Council Tuesday night, will put the city at 100 Flock cameras. The technology is leased from the company, and will be paid for by American Rescue Plan funds through 2026.