Knox County Commission bans fixed ALPR cameras, halts ARC and orders county data purged

The Knox County Commission voted unanimously Aug. 31 to adopt an emergency ordinance that prohibits county departments from purchasing or operating fixed automated license‑plate reader (ALPR) systems and requires that non‑authorized surveillance systems be disabled and removed within 30 days.

"It is time to end mass surveillance in Knox County, period," Commissioner Jay said during debate, urging a full reset after an internal audit and procurement concerns. The ordinance includes an amendment that keeps the county’s Advanced Research and Communications Center (ARC) closed until the sheriff publicly presents a data‑driven operational and financial plan. A friendly amendment added a requirement to destroy county‑held surveillance data collected to date, except for material within active criminal investigations.

Supporters argued the procurement process lacked transparency and that a broad public reset was necessary. Mayor Glenn Jacobs confirmed a prior understanding that camera use would be paused while the issues were resolved. Legal and purchasing staff warned the commission that existing contracts — if they in fact exist and obligate the county — could create fiscal and legal complications; commissioners said they would pursue those contract questions separately.

The ordinance passed unanimously. The text as adopted directs county staff to disable non‑permitted systems within 30 days, preserves protections for evidence in active investigations and requires the sheriff to present any future surveillance proposal publicly before authorization.