Beaufort County Approves Funding for New License Plate Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns
In a move aimed at enhancing public safety, the finance committee of Beaufort County’s council has given the go-ahead for funding 23 new license plate reading cameras. This decision, made on Monday, sparked a lively debate over the balance between keeping citizens safe and protecting personal freedoms.
Concern for Community Safety
Five out of the eleven council members who serve on the finance committee voted in favor of the project. However, council member David Bartholomew voiced significant concerns regarding privacy and liability issues, creating a tension that defined the discussion. The committee approved a budget of $262,000 to fund the cameras for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. This funding covers the purchase, installation, and maintenance of the cameras over the next two years.
What Prompted the Decision?
The push for these cameras comes in response to a growing concern over gun violence and drive-by shootings in Beaufort County. Captain Brian Baird, special projects officer for the Sheriff’s department, highlighted a tragic incident – the shooting death of 14-year-old Jerrieme “LJ” Washington in January – as a critical motivator for this initiative. As it stands, individual municipalities like Hilton Head, Beaufort, and Bluffton have their own surveillance systems, but the Sheriff’s department felt a coordinated approach was necessary.
Camera Implementation Plan
After thoroughly evaluating options from three different companies, the department settled on purchasing cameras from Rekor and command connector devices from Verkada. The cameras will be strategically placed in 20 crime hotspots around the county. If the project receives the final approval from the full council, the contracts for the equipment are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
These high-tech cameras will allow law enforcement to instantly recognize specific license plates, notifying the department if a plate linked to a stolen vehicle passes by. While the department had initially sought to acquire a total of 65 cameras, a grant application with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety was ultimately denied, leading to a reduction in scope.
Funding Breakdown
The money for this initiative will come from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act fund. Beaufort County received $37.3 million in ARPA funds last year, aimed at helping cities recover from the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, after allocating funds to various projects, including these cameras, the account is now depleted.
For the cameras and connector devices, the companies will charge approximately $230,000, with an additional $32,000 slated for the second year of maintenance. The department is optimistic about potentially acquiring more cameras in the future if budget permits.
Privacy Concerns and Future Regulations
During the heated discussions, Bartholomew raised valid concerns about the balance between safety and individual rights. Questions surrounding data storage, legal guidelines, and the potential use of artificial intelligence were paramount. Currently, the collected data will be stored for only 30 days, a contrast to other agencies like the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which retains information indefinitely.
General Counsel for the Sheriff’s Office, Daniel F. Gourley II, mentioned there is no existing state legislation to govern the usage of these cameras, though a bill was proposed last year. He assured that the information captured would be held by a private third party, ensuring that personal data remains confidential under FOIA laws.
With plans to revisit this issue on a state level next year, the upcoming county council meeting on December 9 will be crucial, as they will further discuss the funding for these cameras. If approved, installation could commence as early as the second week of January.
As the debate continues, the community watches closely, balancing the scales of safety and freedom, looking for a solution that will protect both.
