The Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) released new details about its Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) on Tuesday, revealing the new system will rely on Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs), Public Safety Camera systems, and potentially “gunshot detection technology” to more quickly locate and respond to crime.
The agency revealed on its website that MPD “is taking the final steps” toward completing its RTCC, with ALPRs already “installed in various locations” selected “based on historical crime trends and traffic patterns” throughout the city, and cameras coming soon to areas hit with violent crime or another “specific need” identified by police.
MPD claims its ALPRs are capable of capturing “an image of a vehicle and the vehicle’s license plate,” transforming “the plate into alphanumeric characters,” then cross reference the information against “one or more databases to identify vehicles of interest in law enforcement.” Police note the data must be purged after 90 days, according to state law.
In addition to scanning for possible vehicles of interest, MPD explains ALPRs could be used to “canvas license plates around any crime scene to assist in the identification of suspects, victims, and potential witnesses,” but claimed the devices “are not utilized for general traffic enforcement or vehicle repossessions.”
The department is also seeking permission from city leaders to use “gunshot detection technology that utilizes acoustic sensors to detect and locate gunshots in real time.”
Crime Data Analyst Supervisor Ashley Smith told NewsChannel 5 the system could help identify stolen vehicles, and explained that police will have to “fill out a specific form” that will have to be “approved by a supervisor” before they can review the information gathered by the RTCC.
The Metro Nashville City Council approved a plan to install license plate readers (LPRs) in August, though the resolution passed without the support of Mayor Freddie O’Connell. It passed with amendments stating that any contracts between Nashville and outside companies will be terminated in the event of a data breach and requiring police to consult with community advisory groups before placing the technology.
Prior to the vote, O’Connell warned, “I think the thing you got to be careful about is any data that can be persisted can be hacked. You don’t want victims, people with medical and health issues, tracked with their movements around the city.”
ALPRs have been compared to controversial red light cameras, which were restricted by a 2016 law. As of 2022, there were red light cameras in more than a dozen Tennessee towns or cities, according to ABC 24.
In 2017, a number of Tennessee motorists and lawmakers warned that traffic laws or equipment were being modified to increase revenue generated by the cameras. One Knoxville resident claimed turning right on red was clandestinely banned at the same time a camera was installed, and that the duration of a yellow traffic light was shortened in a bid to catch more motorists failing to stop at a red light.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Images “Murfreesboro Real Time Crime Center” by City of Murfreesboro.
Terrible, we now are living in minority report! One of the few things I agree with Mayor Freddie on.
I would prefer all police done away with and we are responsible for our own safety via the 2nd amendment vs living in this surveillance authoritarian police state.
What is wrong with Murfreesboro, a conservative stronghold allowing this? Its very sad when the liberals like Freddie are the only ones speaking out against this. WAKE UP!!!
I guess 1984 is actually going to happen in 2024. This is a direct violation of my privacy. This needs to be stopped in its tracks.
Rise of the Murfreesboro Police state…!
I moved here in 2019 and since then the amount of surveillance and monitoring equipment installed is exponential to previous. Is this for the significant increase in illegal aliens? Yes, the ones that hit you up as you leave the Kroger?
Bullshit!Bullshit!Bullshit! This will not provide additional safety/security but piss off the independent minded Tennesseans creating friction between government and the people.
Raise your hand if you believe they will “purge the data on 90 days”?
The gap between the politicians/administrators/bureaucrats and “the people” just doubled.
So again we are forced to give up freedom and privacy for safety?? How many crimes have been solved or stopped because of these techniques? Not many. All of this is to track the movements and create a carbon footprint on peaceful, law abiding citizens. It is sold as a way to make people safe but that is the snake oil sold to these people who refuse to actually do their job and allows them to get rid of the people that if left to do their job could decrease crime. Where is the cost benefit studies on these license plate readers and exactly how do they reduce crime? They do not!!! “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. “ You are being lied too and one day you all will be very sorry you allowed these cameras to track you because that is what they are really all about….not safety.