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Sheriff asks for license-plate cameras; board tables purchase pending funding and policy questions
Summary
Schley County Sheriff requested $12,000 to add four Flock license-plate recognition cameras; commissioners raised funding, privacy and timing concerns and tabled the purchase pending further review and funding options.
Sheriff Nelson asked the Schley County Board of Commissioners on May 13 to add $12,000 to his budget to fund a four-camera Flock license-plate recognition system, saying the system would gather objective vehicle evidence and alert law enforcement to wanted vehicles. "The camera system is for license plate recognition, gathering objective evidence and facts about vehicles," Sheriff Nelson said, and emphasized that the cameras are not meant for facial recognition, are not tied to personally identifiable information, and that data would be deleted after 30 days.
Commissioners probed funding and logistics. Commissioner Barineau asked County Manager Douglas Jamieson to investigate whether the project could be covered by SPLOST funds. Commissioner Harrison said the county should "start with four cameras and look for grants and other funding" before expanding coverage. Chairman Clark asked whether volume pricing or discounts were available for purchasing more than four cameras, and Commissioner Jones requested staff check grant opportunities in Flint. Sheriff Nelson said a decision likely is needed before June 30 to avoid installation charges.
Officials also emphasized intended limits on camera use: Sheriff Nelson told the board the system would not be used for traffic enforcement. The board did not vote on the purchase; the item was tabled until additional funding sources, vendor pricing and legal/policy issues are addressed.
