Norfolk council approves license plate readers for police department

NORFOLK, Neb. —The Norfolk City Council has given the green light for the Norfolk Police Department (PD) to acquire license plate readers, aiming to bolster public safety efforts.

Norfolk PD Chief Brian Tighe stated the primary objective is to enhance public safety. "These cameras are designed to aid officers in pinpointing vehicles involved in various incidents, including stolen vehicles, missing person cases, kidnappings, Amber Alerts, or violent crimes."

Tighe emphasized the efficiency and reliability of the readers compared to human memory, particularly in time-sensitive situations. "It’s all about helping us identify the right vehicle at the right time, especially when minutes matter," Tighe noted.

Addressing privacy concerns, Chief Tighe clarified that the devices simply capture images of vehicle make, model, and license plates on public roads. "It does not take photos of an individual and doesn’t have facial recognition technology," Tighe assured.

The $18,000 investment will enable the department to initially purchase six readers. Tighe plans to engage with schools and local businesses to explore further installations on or near their properties, fostering a safer community environment.

While the installation date on highways leading into Norfolk remains pending, the Norfolk PD has submitted the necessary paperwork to the Nebraska Department of Transportation and awaits approval for installation.