With the rise in gun violence in Champaign-Urbana, both cities have been considering the use of Automatic License Plate Readers as a measure to identify possible perpatrators. The Champaign City Council discussed spending nearly $200,000 for the use of 36 ALPRs for two years in a recent study session. All but one council member were in favor of moving the measure out of study session to vote on at a later date.
This week, the Urbana City Council was ready to vote on spending $54,000 for the use of 20 ALPRs for one year. The council voted against the measure 4-3.
We have expressed our skepticism at using these types of surveillance measures — questioning their effectiveness, cost, and effect on predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods.
Top image from Flock Security website.