Washington County lawmakers voted to block the use of taxpayer funds on automatic license plate reader systems, adding the restriction to the books during Thursday night’s Quorum Court session.
Justice of the Peace Evelyn Rios Stafford (District 12) introduced the measure, and members waived normal procedure to send it straight to a final reading the same evening.
Two members, Brad Bruns (District 1) and David Wilson (District 2), spoke against the restriction, calling it unnecessary. Bruns noted that the sheriff’s office would already need Quorum Court sign-off before purchasing any such equipment. Wilson pointed to the upcoming change in county judge, saying neither candidate running for the seat seemed interested in acquiring the technology, and added that the sheriff himself had indicated the county had no need for it.
Members approved the ban by a 13-2 margin, with Bruns and Wilson casting the dissenting votes.
The debate arrives amid growing scrutiny of plate-reading cameras across the country in recent months. Supporters within law enforcement describe the devices as valuable for solving and deterring crime, while critics argue they amount to government surveillance of ordinary citizens’ movements and a breach of personal privacy.
Several nearby municipalities have already moved away from the technology: Pea Ridge, Centerton and Farmington have each ended their contracts for Flock Safety camera systems in recent weeks.
