Residents urge disclosure and oversight of license-plate-reader program

Several residents used the public-comment period at the Aug. 6 Prescott Valley council meeting to press the town for greater transparency about an automated license-plate-reader program that they say collects searchable movement data across the community.

"These cameras do not record a trip. They record a schedule," said Laura Cabell, who identified herself as a local small-business owner, citing an internal police audit with "613 searches in 1 month" and urging the council to require staff to name any intended software vendor and publish full contract documents before authorizing purchases.

Cheryl Greenham told the council she is "100% opposed" to mass surveillance in Prescott Valley and asked that any council motion include a proviso barring opioid-settlement or other funds from being used to acquire or expand automated license-plate readers, real-time analytics, or integrated data platforms without separate council approval.

Council members acknowledged the volume of constituent concern and discussed options for community engagement. One councilmember proposed polling residents and scheduling a dedicated agenda item for a public study session; staff said the police department will present a full update on the LPR program at a scheduled October study session.

The public comments came while the council considered unrelated agenda items; no council motion to authorize new LPR purchases was before the body on Aug. 6. Chief Bob Tice later told council that the $18,693.39 in opioid-settlement money the department sought to accept would not be used to purchase LPR technology.