Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – License plate reading technology in Springfield is getting a rave review from Springfield’s police chief. Joe Behl is seeking a two-year renewal of the city’s agreement with Flock for $508,000. A final city council vote is July 7.

“It’s a very impactful tool,” said Behl. “One of the most impactful tools that we have.”

Behl heard concerns about what can be done with the information the cameras collect. “They cannot detect any speed nor (running) red lights,” said the chief. The data is also protected from snoops and gossips, said Behl. “They cannot be accessed or used for anything other than investigating whatever criminal activity that might be. Each officer has an audit trail that follows it forever. It never is deleted. We know exactly who is accessing what and when. I cannot just jump on there and look at whatever I want and not put a case file on it.”

Two members of the public dissented, with one saying Flock has a poor track record on keeping citizens’ data private, and another calling Flock’s practices “dangerous.”

The city’s agreement with Flock for ShotSpotter is a separate matter.