What’s next for license plate readers in Nashville?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nashville’s license plate recognition cameras (LPRs) have been turned off for six months, but behind the scenes, Metro leaders are working to bring them back.
Metro launched a six-month pilot program last year to test license plate readers. The cameras were officially approved to move forward permanently last August.
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But what’s happening now?
“That’s an urgent thing that needs to happen,” said Stephanie Spaunhorst, a mother of five.
It’s been a little over one year since her husband, Chris, was killed on I-24 on Christmas Day during an apparent road rage shooting. Spaunhorst feels license plate readers could have been helpful in finding her husband’s killer, who still has not been identified.
“He’s missed. It’s baseball time, this was his favorite time of the year, and the beginning of fishing time for him and his boys,” said Spaunhorst. “I’m trying not to give up. Some days are a lot harder than others. Some days I feel like I’m drowning and I barely can float.”
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Officials said the mayor’s office is working with Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake on this effort. Representatives also sent News 2 the following statement:
The mayor and Chief Drake discussed a collaborative approach to public engagement around review of data from the pilot project. That engagement focused on areas where camera density existed during the pilot and reviewed the proposal for updated camera locations. The shared goal is to take stock of public input from the pilot, concerns from community organizations, and Mayor O’Connell is committed to ensuring LPRs are implemented, per Metro Council approval last fall, in a way that both makes the public safer and protects personal privacy.
News 2 also reached out to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) for comment on the status of license plate readers. Officials said in part:
In January/February, the MNPD hosted community meetings at all eight precincts to discuss placements of License Plate Readers and dispel rumors. We are currently speaking to community groups while we await the next steps in this process. LPRs are still in the purchasing phase.
Metro Councilwoman Joy Styles, who helped push for the use of license plate readers, said it also comes down to funding.
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“Our budget doesn’t get finally approved until the end of June, so this is still a couple months in determining how much money is going to go to MNPD, covering the cost of all the cameras that they’re determined they need to place in the city. It has to pass by June 30, because that’s our fiscal year,” said Styles.
For Spaunhorst, she hopes the process for the return of license plate readers is quick so other families can have the closure her family is still waiting for.
“To prevent somebody else’s family from going through this,” said Spaunhorst. “So they don’t have to sit and wonder is that person going to hurt someone else?”
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