Utah Cities Installing Cameras to Fight Crime 

If you haven’t noticed these cameras going up in a city near you, they can be found on speed limit signs, street lights and power poles. They are called Flock Safety Cameras and are used to track vehicle license plates. It also notes down other features of the car like color, dents and scratches. 

Police agencies use the information to solve burglaries, to find stolen cars and other get help with other crimes. For the most part, people in communities with these cameras have appreciated that they can bring crime down. There is concern about how the information is used. 

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For this reason, police have rules on when they can access the camera’s information. In Toole they have to have a case number to use the system. It also doesn’t show anything inside the car. They only record information about the vehicle. 

FedEx is Part of Flock Safety and Shares Information with Police 

A story from the Daily Mail noted that some private businesses have partnered with Flock Safety to provide information from cameras to the system. FedEx has cameras on their trucks that are used to gather data as well.  

The concern is with private companies having access to the system. The government agencies have strict rules on who and how the information gathered by the cameras is used. Private companies may not have the same rules and laws in place and may not require the same level of oversight.

Read More: Should Government Know How Many Cows Are In Utah Fields?

This technology is increasing. At what point do you feel the line is crossed between safety and privacy? 

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