Charlottesville ends license plate cameras over fears data could be used to identify illegal immigrants

The Charlottesville Police Department is ending its use of a license plate reading camera system amid concerns that the data collected could be accessed by the federal government and used to identify illegal immigrants.

During a city council meeting earlier this month, council members voted not to move forward with a yearlong pilot program for the Flock Safety license plate reader system, despite law enforcement officials citing its success in solving crimes.

“I just think that the concerns are much bigger than us,” Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis said, according to CBS 19. “Most of the feedback we got was very positive from folks in the community. That being said, there were some concerns.”

Those concerns centered on the possibility that data gathered through the system could be obtained by federal agencies and used for purposes beyond local law enforcement, including tracking individuals who are in the United States illegally. Kochis did, however, admit that the technology had proven effective during the pilot program.

“It’s helped us solve our homicide in the city. It has helped us recover a missing child. It has helped us recover missing people. It does help us recover stolen cars in time frames that actually have meaning,” he said.

Despite ending the program, Kochis said the department plans to explore alternative license plate reader systems that may address the concerns raised by council members and residents. One option under consideration is a similar system offered by Axon, a company that makes body cams for officers. 

“We trust Axon. We have for many years for our body-worn camera footage,” Kochis said. “They also have a similar program, so that would be something we would roll out and speak to council about.”