Axon.
Ax off.
Longmont is delaying the deployment of 15 surveillance cameras from ALPR-provider Axon, amid heavy public scrutiny, according to a statement released yesterday by Longmont Public Safety’s Assistant City Manager Zach Ardis and Longmont Police Chief David Moore.
Few topics have received the caliber of attention — and attacks — that Automatic License Plate Reader technology has (although data centers provide provide stiff competition). Now, Longmont’s top brass believes the right move forward…is stepping back.
Let’s rewind:
Last December, Longmont City Council voted not to renew its contract with ALPR-provider Flock, who’s faced severe criticism in recent years. Their current contract expired at the end of March and Longmont removed its 15 fixed Flock ALPR cameras.
City council then opted to replace Flock with Axon, another ALPR-provider who, though still unpopular with many, is seen as the lesser of two evils. Though many locals believe the technology needs to be outlawed altogether.
Moving forward:
Amid the transition, LPS said it didn’t want to merely replace one system with another. It determined the time was ripe to “review our policies, procedures, auditing requirements, data-sharing practices, documentation requirements, and other safeguards,” according to the statement. LPS also noted…
It intends to improve transparency by providing information about how their tech is used, where cameras are located, and how ALPR data is accessed and shared.
LPS says it’s engaged with legislators as more broadly sweeping laws are being considered at the state level…
“For these reasons, Longmont Public Safety has delayed deploying the 15 replacement Axon ALPR cameras while this review is completed and the legal environment continues to develop.”
The statement offered no timetable for a decision on implementation of Axon’s cameras.
“Maintaining community trust requires more than complying with applicable law,” LPS added.