While there are some privacy concerns, Lake Bluff police are set to install eight license-plate-reading cameras, as officials believe they can be an effective way to reduce crime.
Last month, the Village Board approved a two-year contract not to exceed $54,450 with Flock Group Inc. for the placement of eight automated license-plate solar-powered cameras at various locations in the Lake Bluff area.
Village officials pointed to regional and local concerns over burglaries, thefts and stolen vehicles as the reasoning behind the interest in the cameras.
“Property crime continues to be an area of concern for the North Shore and within the Village of Lake Bluff,” a February memo co-signed by Village Administrator Drew Irvin, Police Chief Matt Smizinski and Deputy Chief Erik Gehrke said. “Upon analysis of village data, calendar years 2019 and 2022 were notable given the number of criminal trespass, burglary to motor vehicle, and stolen vehicle cases that largely occurred in residential areas during the overnight hours.
“The Lake Bluff Police Department has taken certain actions to reduce the frequency of these criminal acts and, like several other local law enforcement agencies, now seeks to further utilize current technology to aid in police response and investigations,” the memo said.
The Flock cameras work by alerting police of vehicles possibly connected to crimes entering the area, and then sending the license plate information to local law enforcement officials.
The Village Board debated the worthiness of the cameras at several meetings going back to last year, with some members expressing concern over privacy.
In April, the board voted 4-1 to approve the contract.
“This is for the security of our community,” Trustee Steve Rappin said. “There are some flaws in this, but we have a two-year time horizon and we can always fire Flock if we want to.”
Trustee Taryn Fisher cast the lone dissenting voice.
“I am wholly uncomfortable, and I still don’t see the cost-benefit analysis to give away community privacy as a government body,” Fisher said.
With the contract approved, Smizinski wrote in an e-mail the village is in the permit process for camera locations. He was not certain when installation would be complete, but it could take months.
Flock cameras have also been installed in several neighboring communities, including Waukegan, Deerfield and Lake Forest.
