West Palm Beach considers installing 'crime stopping' cameras

Cameras were proposed for 4 new intersections

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Posted: 12/30/2011

By: Dan Krauth

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - NewsChannel 5 has obtained exclusive emails that show city officials have been considering adding red light traffic cameras to four additional intersections in West Palm Beach.

They're not your ordinary cameras. They would include what's called "Automated License Plate Readers."

That means police officers could use the cameras to scan license plates in intersections to catch criminals, stolen cars and stolen tags.

NewsChannel 5 discovered the proposal when looking through emails from the former assistant police chief Dennis Crispo that were obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. He made the proposal before retiring.

The intersections would include Tamarind and Okeechobee, Tamarind and Palm Beach Lakes, 45th and N. Military and 45th and N. Congress.

The drivers we spoke with had mixed reaction about the possibility of the new technology.

"That technology is already used on the Turnpike anyway if you don't pay, you're under surveillance anyway so, if this can really help with crime, I think it's a good thing," said driver Maxine Gayle.

"I just don't like the intrusiveness of it, I don't have anything to hide, but it's not right," said West Palm Beach resident Amy Matis. "They need to find the criminals the old fashioned way," she said.

A spokesperson for the City of West Palm Beach said he couldn't give an update as to the status of the proposal because the city officials involved are not in due to the holiday break.

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