Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said Monday in compliance with a Florida Department of Transportation directive, it “will discontinue the use of LPR technology throughout Duval County.” — Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said Monday in compliance with a Florida Department of Transportation directive, it “will discontinue the use of LPR technology throughout Duval County.”
Waters said in a statement that automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology has been a “enormously valuable investigative tool, assisting our agency in solving serious crimes and locating missing and vulnerable individuals.”
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“However,” he said in the statement, “given the decision made at the state level and the concerns expressed by members of our community, I have determined that discontinuing the use of this technology is the appropriate course of action at this time.”
Waters is not the only Northeast Florida sheriff to announce the decision to discontinue the use of these cameras. Earlier Monday, Putnam County Sheriff “Gator” DeLoach announced that the 18 cameras throughout Putnam County would be taken down.
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Here is the full statement from Waters:
“As the elected Sheriff of Duval County, it is my responsibility to listen to the concerns of our citizens and act accordingly.
“Today, the Florida Department of Transportation announced the revocation of the permits and licenses it provided to law enforcement agencies for the use of license plate reader (LPR) technology on state roads. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will fully comply with FDOT’s directive.
“Additionally, at my direction, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will discontinue the use of LPR technology throughout Duval County.
“LPR technology has proven to be an enormously valuable investigative tool, assisting our agency in solving serious crimes and locating missing and vulnerable individuals. However, given the decision made at the state level and the concerns expressed by members of our community, I have determined that discontinuing the use of this technology is the appropriate course of action at this time.
“The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office remains fully committed to providing the highest level of public safety services to the people of Jacksonville. We will continue to use every tool, resource, and technology available to prevent crime, solve cases, and protect our community.”
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