Kearney Police to start automatic license plate reading camera pilot program

KEARNEY, NE — Automated cameras will soon be watching out for crime in Kearney.

The Kearney City Council gave approval to the police department this week to enter into an agreement with Flock Safety for a 60-day automated license plate reading camera pilot program. 25 cameras will be installed in strategic areas in the city with the goal of solving and reducing crime.

According to a news release, the cameras are designed to help law enforcement investigate crime by providing objective evidence, license plates, and vehicle characteristics. To proactively prevent crime, the cameras send a real-time alert to law enforcement when a stolen car or known wanted suspect from a state or national crime database is detected. They can also send alerts if a vehicle associated with a missing person in an AMBER or Endangered Mission Advisory Alert is detected. 

The news release says the cameras will be used to solve and reduce property and violent crime and are not intended for minor traffic or parking violations. 

"It is important to understand this system does not use facial recognition, personal identification information, or conduct traffic enforcement. The data is stored for 30 days and automatically deleted unless used in a criminal investigation. The data is also never sold to a third party. This system will serve as an extension of our community policing philosophy through technology,” Chief of Police Bryan Waugh said.

The rollout of the program is expected to take 8-10 weeks. When the trial program expires, the project team will present a report to the city council with a recommendation on what to do next.