Although a wave of home burglaries in Elmhurst appears to have run its course, city officials decided Monday to proceed with a test of a license plate-reading camera despite concerns about privacy and whether the system, like red-light and speed cameras, could somehow be subverted from crime fighting to revenue generation.
“The Police Department has an opportunity to test a fixed location camera,” City Manager James Grabowski said, adding that there would be no cost for the test. “Chief (Michael) Ruth and I recommend the test.”
In response to questions, Ruth explained how the system would work. Police would be notified immediately if a captured license plate was on a “hot list” because the vehicle was the subject of a warrant or suspected of involvement in a serious felony. But police also could query the system in the event of a nearby crime. For example, if a burglary took place on a Tuesday between 9 and 11 a.m., police could review license plate information for vehicles in the area during that time.
Ruth said after the meeting the system could be especially helpful in cases where only a partial plate number or vehicle description was available for a vehicle seen near a reported crime.
Information gathered by the camera would be kept for six to eight months by a private contractor, leaving some aldermen concerned over its potential misuse.
Ald. Diane Gutenkauf had serious privacy concerns.
“I’m very concerned that a third-party will hold or have access to this data,” she said. “I question its efficacy in being able to capture a ‘bad guy,’ and I’m deeply concerned that we’re going down this path.”
Ald. Mark Mulliner added his concerns.
“I’m concerned that cameras can be misused as revenue sources,” he said, insisting that hot-listed vehicles be flagged only for serious violations and not for such minor matters as overdue parking tickets or expired vehicle stickers.
But Ald. Chris Healy countered, noting that recent burglaries had targeted homes between York Street and the I-290 Eisenhower Expressway.
“It’s not a revenue generator,” Healy said. “We know there are easy access routes to 290 ramps. Anything that gives the men and women of our police force another tool, I fully support.”
Grabowski said the 180-day camera system test had been discussed with members of the Public Affairs and Safety Committee but did not require a committee report or council action as it relates to police operations.
Ruth said after the meeting that he was not sure where the camera would be located or when it would become operative.
