EAST PEORIA, Ill. – The East Peoria City Council has unanimously approved an expansion of the city’s use of Flock Safety license plate-reading cameras despite concerns raised by several residents.
25 News reports the city will purchase 10 additional cameras, adding to the 18 already in use. The agreement will cost the city $156,500 over five years.
About a half-dozen people spoke against renewing and expanding the city’s use of the cameras during Tuesday night’s council meeting, raising concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of the technology.
Commissioner Dan Decker said he did not want to take away what he considers a useful tool for law enforcement. Decker said the cameras have helped locate kidnapping victims and recover stolen property. He also said he had the police chief demonstrate how officers search the Flock database before Tuesday’s vote, according to 25 News.
Mayor John Kahl said East Peoria has used Flock cameras for about four-and-a-half years without a known case of misuse by the city’s police department.
Kahl said he has confidence in the department and stressed the importance of accountability in how the technology is used.
The council ultimately voted unanimously to approve the agreement.
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