Sedona Halts License Plate Camera Program Amid Privacy Concerns

In a surprising turn of events, the Sedona City Council has decided to halt its controversial automated camera program, which was designed to capture vehicle license plate data throughout the city. This decision follows significant public opposition.

The city had installed 11 cameras operated by Flock Safety just two months prior. However, during a recent special council session, several members expressed apprehensions about data privacy and the potential for federal law enforcement agencies to access the information.

Council member Derek Pfaff highlighted the public’s dissatisfaction, saying, “The response from the public has been overwhelmingly negative, you know, and it’s pretty rare that we see something that, for different reasons, the people on the left agree with the people on the right.”

The technology captures not only license plate numbers but also details such as vehicle models, color, visible damage, and even bumper stickers. Artificial intelligence processes this data, which can then be integrated into a national database.

Law enforcement officials advocate for the system, claiming it is crucial for solving difficult cases like hit-and-runs, human trafficking, and vehicle thefts. Despite its potential benefits, the system has sparked debate in other northern Arizona communities.

In a contrasting move, the Flagstaff council approved the deployment of Flock cameras last June without any debate, while Payson’s council unanimously supported a similar initiative funded by a grant in March.