Florence Police Seek To Install 30 License Plate Readers Across The City

Florence County’s legislative delegation introduced a joint resolution that would require the state’s transportation agency to work with city and county leaders in getting the cameras set up.

Florence police are seeking permission to install 30 license plate readers at busy intersections across the city.

Last year, the city was granted nearly $400,000 through the state budget to purchase and set up the cameras.

Police want to put an undisclosed number of them on state-maintained rights of way. However, in places where state approval is needed, the Department of Transportation has been slow to act.

Last week, Florence County’s legislative delegation introduced a joint resolution that would require the state’s transportation agency to work with city and county leaders in getting the cameras set up.

The measure addresses privacy concerns including, removal of all data after 90 days unless it’s part of an ongoing criminal investigation, a prohibition on using any data collected for commercial purposes, exempting data from being released under the state’s Freedom of Information Act, and a prohibition on using any data to investigate or prosecute minor traffic violations.

The resolution now heads to the Senate.