Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Technology topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Trinity County approves two-year pilot of automated license plate readers funded by grant for highways 36 and 299
Summary
The Board approved a grant-funded, two-year pilot with Flock Group Inc. for eight automated license plate reader cameras on Highways 36 and 299 to assist investigations; the sheriff said cameras capture license plates only and access is logged and audited.
The Trinity County Board of Supervisors voted Sept. 16 to approve an agreement with Flock Group Inc. to deploy automated license plate reader (LPR) cameras as a two-year, grant-funded pilot program covering selected locations on Highways 36 and 299.
Sheriff Tim Saxon told the board the county’s large geography and limited deputies create “a force multiplier” need and that the cameras help recover stolen vehicles, speed response to Amber alerts and assist criminal investigations. He said the pilot will be funded entirely with grants and carry no impact to the county general fund; staff cited an amount not to exceed $67,005.50 from grant funds for initial purchase and installation.
Sheriff Saxon described privacy protections: the cameras capture license plates, not interior images, and access to the system is restricted, logged and audited; staff must use a case number to access data and every access is time-stamped. He said the system is intended as an investigative tool used by detectives rather than daily by all patrol deputies.
Board members asked about locations and interoperability. Saxon said eight cameras have been identified for highways 36 and 299; he also said the system links to regional and national databases to assist multi-jurisdictional investigations. Supervisors and public commenters raised civil-liberties concerns and preferred investment in body-worn cameras, which the sheriff said remain an unfunded need due to data-storage and ongoing-cost implications.
The board approved the pilot by roll-call vote. County staff said the sheriff will report back on program effectiveness during the two-year pilot before any decision on local funding for continuation.
