By admin 
BURLINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) — The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is working to have cameras that read drivers’ license plates across the state.
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SBI is working with the state Department of Transportation in a pilot program to authorize automatic license plate readers.
The cameras scan plates against SBI-maintained National Crime Information Center databases. The comparison looks at vehicles linked to crimes such as stolen vehicles and plates.
A total of 32 partnering law enforcement agencies across the state are in the program. Agencies include 12 police departments, 19 sheriff’s offices and the NC State Highway Patrol. Partner agencies install the cameras on state streets. There are more than 100 cameras installed across the partners.
The SBI shared an initial program report with FOX8. The report shows that the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office has four locations. The Burlington Police Department is one of the agencies with the most cameras, at 20.
Mixed Reception
The idea of more cameras on streets stirred mixed reactions from drivers in Burlington. Driver Laura Bradford said she has no problem with efforts against crime.
“I feel like it’s going to make sure we are more safe as a community, and anything we can do to make sure our kids are safe in our community,” Bradford said. “It’s good in my book.”
The goal is for cameras to be at all major highways and interstates to cover all entrances and exits in the state.
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Driver Dale Fogleman said the extra camera raises doubts.
“Why pay police officers and highway patrolmen to do these things and city cops, and you’ve got these cameras out here? A lot of times with these systems, … they can’t say with a known fact 100 percent that these things operate at their true value,” Fogleman said.
The report shared the successes law enforcement has seen so far.
The BPD reported having 71 arrests and citations and 37 recovered vehicles. Their cameras also recovered six stolen license plates. The report shared that the department seized four illegal handguns, 10 instances of narcotics and generated 38 investigative leads.
Fogleman said he understands the need for efforts that push safety. He said he hopes the cameras are used wisely with privacy in mind.
“But there again, I use discretion,” Fogleman said. “Make sure these things are 100% accurate right on the point before placing them out there … It’ll probably help the state … It’ll probably bring revenue in, but look at the cost it’s going to cost the state and us taxpayers.”
The SBI needs $225,000 in funding to continue its work with vendors who sell the cameras to law enforcement agencies across the state.
Officials are also asking lawmakers to consider grant funding for agencies to purchase and install cameras as part of the program.
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