Portsmouth Council votes 7-0 to reverse support for ALPRs

At the July 11 meeting, the Portsmouth Town Council voted 7-0 to rescind their approval of the pilot program to place Automated License Plate Readers at the approaches to the Mt. Hope Bridge.

The testimony of Portsmouth residents at the meeting--and the many calls, e-mails, and letters the Council received--citing privacy concerns and expressing doubt about the claims these cameras would be effective at suicide prevention led the councilors to reconsider their position.

One factor had to be the analysis the RI ACLU delivered prior to the meeting highlighting the civil liberties and governance concerns. You can read it here.

Thanks to the many folx who turned out, wrote in, and spoke up. And thanks to the members of the Portsmouth Town Council, who were willing to reconsider this decision, listen to the concerns of residents, and do the right thing.