Providence to have 25 license plate reader cameras up within 30 days
(WJAR) — Providence officials say the city will roll out 25 license plate reader cameras in the city within 30 days.
At a Wednesday morning briefing, city leaders assured the public that the one-year pilot program will have will have transparency and will not threaten civil liberties.
Mayor Jorge Elorza, Providence City Council President John Igliozzi, Commissioner of Public Safety Steven Paré, and Chief of Police Colonel Hugh Clements all repeated the words "accountability" and "transparency" when justifying the program.
Elorza brought up the rash of violence the city experienced over the weekend, it included the death of a teen.
The mayor said he met with emotional members of the victim's family who asked about cameras in the city.
Paré said the system will only be used for criminal investigations and its use will have an audited trail.
The city owns the data collected, and all data is erased after 30 days.
Josh Thomas with Flock Safety says the system has a 99.7 % accuracy rate.
He says once the trial period is over each camera will cost $2,500 per year, the city saying the police department would foot the bill.
The Providence City Council recently put a pause on a year-long pilot program that would see the Providence Police Department install 25 cameras throughout the city.
The council asked for a pause so it could review the department’s plans.
On Wednesday, Council President Igliozzi said he was satisfied with the level of transparency in the program.