Bill Spinks

Bill Spinks wspinks@cherryroad.com The purchase of license plate readers at the request of the Midlothian Police Department drew lots of questions about civil liberties from some Midlothian City Council members Tuesday night. Following more than an hour of discussion, councilmembers approved the purchase by a 4-2 vote, with the addendum that a subcommittee be formed to oversee the camera system program and ensure it is being used appropriately. Councilmembers Allen Moorman and Mike Rodgers voted against the purchase, and Mayor Pro Tem Clark Wickliffe was the only councilmember not present. Rodgers stated that while he supported the goals of a license plate camera program to reduce crime, he could not support the city moving toward an increasing surveillance environment. “I don’t know that I can bring myself to take the first step to decide for the citizens that’s the life I want to live in my city,” Rodgers said. Moorman said his main concerns were over-enforcement in the case of an emergency, abuse by rogue investigators, and the eroding of Midlothian’s small-town atmosphere. Moorman suggested forming an oversight subcommittee to ensure accountability, which was added to the motion. The purchase consists of Flock Safety license plate readers to be placed throughout the city at a cost not to exceed $209,100. Police Chief Carl Smith told councilmembers that Flock license plate readers have been used by neighboring cities to catch criminals such as Mansfield, Cedar Hill and Waxahachie to great effect, calling the cameras “a force multiplier.” In Midlothian’s case, the cameras would not be deployed along major roadways, but instead in locations where crime is a concern, such as parks. The cameras log license plates of passing vehicles and sends them to an encrypted database accessible only to law enforcement. If the license plate matches that of a vehicle that […]