DRIVERS have expressed concern about a savvy new way to help police officers catch criminals.
An HOA approved the use of an innovative security measure that has brought up privacy and security concerns for drivers in the neighborhood.
Despite privacy concerns, the city is allowing authorities to install cameras that automatically read a driver’s license plate and use that information to aid in investigations, as reported by The Virginian-Pilot.
The issue was brought up and voted on at a Lochhaven Homeowners Association on February 25.
With the HOA’s approval, two cameras were installed around Norfolk’s Lochhaven neighborhood to catch offenders.
The cameras were installed in the middle of the intersection of Hampton Boulevard and North Shore Road and at the northwest corner of Hampton Boulevard and West Little Creek Road, as reported by The Virginian Pilot.
The cameras pick up more than just license plate numbers.
They also can identify a vehicle’s make, body type, color, and even defects like dents.
Lochhaven Civic League President Charlie Nusbaum has brushed aside complaints about neighborhood privacy, saying the area already has authorities who take care of that.
But Nusbaum’s main concern is making sure Norfolk residents feel safe in their community.
“We want to make sure it’s safe and sound,” he said.
Some residents have advocated for the use of the cameras.
“Like them or not, they have played an important part in solving crimes all over the country,” one Facebook user wrote.
“With the shortage of police, cameras like these help get violent criminals off the street. I personally think that is more important than worrying if your license plate is captured in a photo,” they added.
However, others feel that the use of the cameras is crossing a line, breaching safety and privacy concerns.
“And now the HOA can search for when you come and go, search for vehicles by more than just license plates (can track cars by a sticker), and use their ‘authority ‘beyond the normal scope’,” commented one Facebook user.
What is an HOA?
One in five Americans live in an area with a Homeowners' Association - or HOA. But what exactly is it that they do?
An HOA is a homeowner’s association – an organization that aims to maintain a clean and cohesive place to live for its residents. Entire neighborhoods, subdivisions, condominiums, family homes, or townhouses within “a planned development” will often make up an HOA. They also act as a governing body for tenants, who run and fund the HOA through monthly fees. Their principal aims are to keep the community functioning and visually appealing and to maintain property values. They primarily focus on common areas of a neighborhood, such as roads, parks, and pools – but may also stipulate what residents can do with their properties, such as yards and driveways. Often these restrictions enforce uniformity on properties, for example, ensuring most houses look the same and all driveways are clear of weeds. An HOA rulebook of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R) is distributed to all residents, and an elected volunteer board of directors enforces these regulations. Breaking these rules can result in penalties such as fines and even litigation – as most HOAs are incorporated and subject to state law. HOAs are often the subject of controversy, with some members feeling that the rules are too punitive and restricting, or that the leadership has too much power. But others like that HOAs give communities the power of self-governance, and can ensure a degree of harmony between residents.“These are public streets built with public funds and how does a HOA have any rights to act as their own ‘little city’ when the taxpayers paid for the roads, maintain them and the cameras are on public land,” another echoed.
Skeptical residents can opt out of the program so that their vehicle is not captured by the solar-powered cameras.
The cameras are manufactured by a public safety technology company called Flock Safety.
They have provided over 600 cameras to law enforcement agencies across Hampton Roads which is home to over 1.8 million individuals.
Authorities said the $2,000-$3,000 camera systems have helped them make criminal convictions, especially regarding stolen vehicles.
Others have argued that the data is being used inappropriately, such as to aid deportation efforts, as reported by The Virginian Pilot.
The Lochhaven HOA did not immediately reply to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
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