LAKELAND, Fla. — People will soon start to see license plate readers in Lakeland and more red light cameras.
The Lakeland Police Department stated it is installing 19 license plate readers to crack down on crime. Officials explained it's all going to be funded by money generated from red light tickets.
"The ones we have coming in will be paid for with red light camera violations," Assistant Lakeland Police Chief Hans Lehman said.
The police department will install 19 license plate readers next year. That costs about $57,000 a year. It's technology Lehman said will keep residents safe.
"Just recently, we recovered stolen vehicles from a hit on a license plate reader in one of our patrol cars," Lehman said.
Having license plate readers staked throughout the city will be a first. Right now, police only have them inside their patrol cars. Police said they won't disclose the locations where the license plate readers will be installed.
These readers can help locate stolen vehicles, robbery suspects and silver alerts. Police will get the information from the state and national crime databases.
A company called Flock provides the cameras to the city. Officials with Flock said they have seen success working with over 40 states and 300 law enforcement agencies in Florida.
Some people have expressed privacy concerns about the license plate readers. Flock officials said there is no personal data that is shared.
"These cameras are collecting a limited amount of information. There’s no personal identifiable information that’s being shared with these cameras," said Holly Beilin, a Flock spokesperson.
Police emphasize this is all about safety.
"I don’t see it as big brother watching you. I see it as another tool in our toolbox," Lehman said.
Officials with the Lakeland Police Department are working on the contract now and expect the license plate readers as well as additional red light cameras to be installed next year.