Friday, February 5, 2010

Traffic camera privacy bill considered

c/o Maine News Updates

AUGUSTA — Privacy versus law enforcement concerns will be weighed when a bill comes up restricting uses of traffic surveillance cameras in Maine.

Sen. Dennis Damon's proposal would prohibit the use of such cameras to collect data that could be used to identify a vehicle or individual. The proposal adds automated license plate recognition systems to the list of regulated surveillance.

The South Portland Police Department last month became the first in the state to launch a license plate surveillance system, which uses cameras mounted on top of a cruiser to search for stolen vehicles and traffic violators.

The bill goes today before the Transportation Committee, which Damon co-chairs. The Trenton Democrat says its aim is to protect individuals' privacy.

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