As multiple departments across Utah have backed off using license plate reader cameras in recent weeks, the Salt Lake City Police Department defended its support for the controversial technology.
In a social media post Tuesday, the department listed reasons it will keep using the cameras it has used for 10 years, and the guardrails it claims are in place to protect privacy.
“[License plate camera] technology is a valuable tool for keeping our community safe,” the department wrote. “It has helped officers and detectives locate many stolen vehicles, violent felons, and hit-and-run suspects.”
The department shared that any data collected through its cameras must be destroyed within nine months, unless it is to be used as part of an investigation, court order or warrant. It added that Salt Lake City Police owns the data it collects, but does not sell or share it for commercial purposes…