HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston’s city council is set to vote on a proposed $6.7 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Wednesday morning.
Of this amount, $700,000 is allocated for the maintenance of license plate readers used by the Houston Police Department.
Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite recently informed the city council that this technology is a “game changer” for the department. He noted that the department has access to “about 3,500” readers, which include both private and public devices.
“It’s been a big deal for us,” Satterwhite said. “It has made a difference.” He also mentioned that Houston likely uses this technology more extensively than any other large city.
When requested statistics on arrests and charges facilitated by the readers, the department required an open-records request to provide the information. Although a spokesperson confirmed the readers make a significant daily impact, specific examples were not provided.
In April 2023, reported that the technology contributed to the arrest of a suspected robber. Despite its benefits, the technology has faced criticism. An attorney from the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas expressed concerns about privacy to the Houston Chronicle. However, HPD stated that they do not store the data received from the readers.
Houston residents shared mixed opinions on the widespread use of this technology. Brittany Torres felt it allows officers quicker access to determine vehicle ownership and the identity of drivers. Jarvis Paylor said he supports the technology as long as it is used appropriately and does not invade privacy.
The $700,000 in the upcoming budget is designated for the maintenance of existing readers, not for the purchase of new ones.
