Port Angeles – All 3 License Plate Reader cameras in Port Angeles were turned off and removed from service on Friday.
The following email was sent by City Manager Nathan West to all members of the Port Angeles City council on Friday.
“City Council, as you are aware we have received an outpouring of questions and concerns regarding License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras. The City very much appreciates the feedback provided.
Following a discussion with Chief Smith, and out of an abundance of caution, the three LPR cameras in Port Angeles were turned off and uninstalled today, February 6. These cameras will remain off and removed until City Council has had an opportunity to learn more about this important topic and provide direction about the future of LPRs in our community.
While a Work Session on this topic was planned for the February 17 City Council meeting, this will be postponed to allow time for staff to review the issues raised. Attached you will find before and after pictures documenting the removal of the cameras.
Again, we thank our residents for their feedback on this topic. We will keep you informed as this process moves forward. For any residents that have utilized the City Council email address for correspondence on this issue, staff will share the same message above via an email reply to their initial correspondence.”
After receiving a copy of this email, we reached out to the City’s Jessica Straits, asking for some clarification on the nature of residents’ concerns. She wrote, in part:
“Washington state is currently considering legislation that would regulate the use of LPR cameras. That legislation, Senate Bill 6002, was passed by the Senate on February 4, and will now be considered by the House of Representatives.
Here in Port Angeles, the cameras will remain uninstalled until after the House has reviewed the bill, and after City Council has had an opportunity to learn more and provide direction on the future of LPRs in our community.”