Cameras on the Streets: Lake Bluff's Tech Helps Solve Crimes, But at What Cost?

Lake Bluff has embraced a new way to fight crime using cameras that scan license plates. This tech, brought in by Flock Group Inc. , is now a part of the village's police work. The system has eight cameras, with six already up and running at key spots around the village. Two more are on the way, and police cars have five mobile units too. These cameras are busy, scanning about 10, 000 plates every day. They check these plates against lists of missing people, warrants, stolen cars, and other important info. The data is kept for two weeks and shared with other police departments in Lake County. The village is careful not to share this info with federal agencies like ICE. Since the cameras were installed, they've helped solve 72 cases. They've caught suspects, helped figure out what happened in a fatal crash, and even stopped a bike theft ring. The police chief and village president are big fans of the system, saying it's a useful tool to catch criminals. But not everyone is on board. Some trustees worry about privacy and how the data might be used. They want more rules and clear procedures to make sure everything is done right. The village admin says they're open to talking about this more if needed. The contract for this tech is set to last two years, with an automatic renewal next year unless someone says no. So, for now, Lake Bluff is sticking with these cameras, hoping they'll keep the village safe.