License plate readers to go live in DPD cruisers this week; Reactions from community mixed

WHIO Staff
·2 min read

This week the city of Dayton will be rolling out Automated License Plate Readers in all 120 Dayton Police Department cruisers.

This comes just three weeks after the City Commission voted in favor of using the readers.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: City Commission approves plan to expand use of automated license plate cameras

The readers are expected to go live on Friday Aug. 12.

Some people in the community said they think ALPRs are a great idea.

“I feel like it’s just part of our technology today and I think it’s an effective way to catch maybe people that are even doing illegal things, or a less problematic way to stop people without it becoming chase, which I hate to see,” Wendela Pelfrey of Dayton said.

While others said they find them intrusive.

“I understand that the idea, I understand the intent of what they’re trying to do, but it does seem like an invasion of privacy to me,” Bill Kennedy of Dayton said.

Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal defended the proposal saying the license plate readers will only notify officers of domestic violence, stolen cars or if a car was involved in a crime.

Passing the plan came with came with some controversy is late July.

In a three to two vote Dayton City Commissioner Darryl Fairchild said “a lot of issues about crime have been brought forward and there’s no evidence that this technology will address those issues.”

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Some residents thought ALPRs would access to much information, target certain communities and racially profile people.

“People should be able to drive around and not feel like they’re being tracked. Doesn’t seem very consistent with civil liberties to me,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy’s daughter Gabby will soon get her license and the new initiative makes her a little nervous.

“I always get anxious when I see police anyways when I drive,” she said.

The city said they are working with neighborhood partners and the community engagement division to decide where the fixed cameras will go.