Homer Glen officials have put a license plate reader system on hold after delays in getting cameras installed on major roadways and concerns raised by residents.
The Village Board voted in January to buy 10 cameras that read license plates and install them on major roadways to help the Will County sheriff’s office solve crimes.
But Trustee Ruben Pazmino said residents are concerned with having a false sense of security and having their privacy invaded. He said as the village researches whether to continue the program, one option would be to ask residents for input via an April referendum.
“From everything I’ve heard, it’s split right down the middle,” Pazmino said. “At the end of the day, once we get all our information … maybe go to referendum and let our public choose what they want.”
Trustee Rose Reynders said more residents are against the cameras than support them because it could be an invasion of their privacy.
Trustee Dan Fialko said he wanted statistics on how many crimes the cameras solved in neighboring communities.
The contract with Flock Safety was signed in February, but the company ran into delays securing permits to install eight of the cameras in state and county rights of way, souring village officials on the program.
Hector Soliman-Valdez, a representative for Flock Safety, said Wednesday permitting issues have been resolved and the village was not charged for the delay. He said the company is ready to install the cameras.
“This is an utmost priority to us,” he said.
If the village wants to use the cameras, it will cost an initial price of $29,000 and an annual subscription of $25,000 starting in 2023. The board agreed to a pilot period in which they could cancel the contract after the first 60 days once the cameras were installed.
According to Flock Safety, the cameras assist in stolen car investigations, compare plates of wanted criminals, help locate missing children or seniors and assist police in their investigations. They can sort vehicles by make, color or identifiable features such as roof racks or bumper stickers.
The cameras are used in New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort, Joliet and Romeoville, Soliman-Valdez said.
The company does not use facial recognition software, and the cameras are not used for traffic enforcement, such as speeding or running red lights, he said. Data is stored for 30 days.
Village officials said they will discuss the camera system in committee meetings, including a newly created Community Safeguard Committee, and seek more feedback before deciding their next steps.
The Village Board also voted Wednesday to create a Behavioral Health and Addiction Recovery Committee to focus on alcohol and drug prevention, treatment and services and advocate for mental health needs.
Pazmino, who pledged a $2,000 donation to the committee, said it is long overdue and too many people have died from the opioid epidemic.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
