LOUDON COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – A proposal to limit the use of license plate reader cameras in Loudon County is moving forward after residents voiced concerns about privacy and the collection of vehicle data.
During a recent county meeting, Commissioner Van Shaver introduced a proposal asking the cities of Loudon and Lenoir City to remove license plate reader cameras located outside their municipal boundaries and off county-owned property.
The issue comes after residents raised questions about how the cameras operate, who can access the information they collect and how long that data is retained.
Residents Raise Privacy Concerns
Several residents spoke during public discussions, expressing concern about the role of private companies that manage many of the camera systems used by law enforcement agencies nationwide.
One resident questioned whether private vendors collecting vehicle information have sufficient oversight.
“The problem is the for-profit vendor operating without the oversight of warrant when required, or whether that vendor can be trusted at all,” the resident said.
Another resident voiced concerns about personal privacy.
“I don’t want to be tracked without a warrant,” the resident said.
Commissioner Calls for Review
Shaver said the concerns have become increasingly common among constituents in Loudon County.
“The license plate readers, they’re called Flock or Motorola, Axon or whatever they are, have become a great concern for constituents here in Loudon County,” Shaver said.
According to Shaver, discussions with local officials revealed that the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office does not currently operate license plate reader cameras.
Instead, he said the systems are operated by the cities of Loudon and Lenoir City.
“What we found out was that Loudon County Sheriff’s Department doesn’t have any LPRs. The city of Lenoir City and the city of Loudon do have them,” Shaver said.
Law Enforcement Tool Faces Scrutiny
License plate reader systems are commonly used by law enforcement agencies to help locate stolen vehicles, identify suspects and assist in criminal investigations.
Shaver acknowledged that the technology can be beneficial for police departments but said many residents remain uneasy about how the information is stored and used.
“They’re going to have to deal with the privacy issue. Clean that up. And I think everybody would be on board with it,” Shaver said. “But nobody wants to think every time I drive by one of these black poles with the flashing red light, they grab my tag and now somebody somewhere can say, ‘Where did he go today?'”
Cities Yet to Respond
Requests for comment from the cities of Loudon and Lenoir City, along with their respective police departments, were not immediately returned.
The proposal is expected to move to a workshop meeting later this month, where county leaders will discuss the issue in greater detail.
No final action has been taken, but the discussion highlights a growing debate taking place in communities nationwide over balancing public safety benefits with concerns about privacy and government surveillance.
