Knox County, TN (WOKI) – Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and County Commissioner Adam Thompson are publicly urging county leaders to halt the deployment of automated license plate reader cameras, saying the technology threatens privacy rights and lacks sufficient oversight.
The statements come as controversy continues over Knox County Sheriff’s Office plans to deploy Flock automated license plate reader, or ALPR, cameras using grant funding approved by the Knox County Commission last year.
County officials say the grant was intended to support criminal justice improvements and crime reduction efforts. However, recent public discussion surrounding the camera rollout has raised concerns among residents and elected officials about surveillance, data retention and constitutional protections.
Jacobs: Cameras Do Not Belong in Knox County
Mayor Jacobs said he does not believe the technology currently has a place in Knox County.
“At this point, I do not believe these devices have a place in Knox County,” Jacobs said.
The mayor argued that Tennessee’s state laws governing automated license plate readers have not kept pace with rapidly advancing technology.
Jacobs noted that artificial intelligence, vehicle recognition software, multi-camera tracking systems and expanded data storage capabilities have dramatically changed the technology since Tennessee first adopted regulations governing ALPR systems in 2014.
He also pointed to a lack of comprehensive federal regulation.
“Without strong safeguards in place, we may be inadvertently creating a warrantless mass surveillance network,” Jacobs said.
While Jacobs thanked Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler for assurances that the cameras would not be activated during the remainder of their current terms, he said a more permanent solution is needed.
The mayor is urging the Knox County Commission to prohibit the use of the devices until stronger state or federal regulations are established.
He also called on the Tennessee General Assembly and Congress to evaluate the issue and establish protections for individual liberties as surveillance technologies continue to evolve.
Thompson Questions Transparency
Commissioner Adam Thompson echoed many of the mayor’s concerns and criticized how the project was presented to commissioners.
According to Thompson, the grant approved in November was described as a crime-reduction initiative for high-crime areas and not as funding for a countywide network of automated license plate readers.
“When Commission approved this grant last November, it was presented as funding to reduce violent crime in identified high-crime areas,” Thompson said. “It was not presented as the deployment of a countywide ALPR camera network.”
Thompson said he was surprised to learn several cameras had been installed in Corryton and Mascot, areas he said were not among the ZIP codes identified in the original grant proposal.
He said the public deserves transparency about how the technology operates and how collected information is managed.
“This technology erodes the privacy and constitutional liberties of Knox County residents,” Thompson said.
Questions Focus on Data Collection and Access
A central issue in the debate remains what information is collected, how long it is stored and who can access it.
Thompson said residents deserve clear answers regarding:
- What information is collected
- How long the information is retained
- Who has access to the data
- Whether information can be shared with outside agencies
- What safeguards exist to prevent misuse
Thompson emphasized that his concerns are not directed at law enforcement officers.
“This isn’t about being against law enforcement,” Thompson said. “I support our deputies and appreciate the difficult job they do every day.”
Sheriff’s Office Says Technology Helps Fight Crime
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office has maintained that Flock cameras are intended to help investigate crimes and find missing persons.
Officials have previously stated that data collected through the system is retained for 30 days unless it becomes part of an active investigation.
Supporters of the technology argue automated license plate readers have helped solve crimes, recover stolen vehicles and provide valuable investigative leads.
However, opposition has continued to grow as concerns about privacy and government surveillance remain at the forefront of the discussion.
Debate Continues
The issue is expected to receive additional attention as county leaders continue discussing the future of the proposed camera network.
For now, both Jacobs and Thompson say they believe the cameras should not be deployed in Knox County until stronger legal safeguards and oversight mechanisms are established.
The ongoing debate highlights a broader national conversation over balancing public safety technology with privacy rights and constitutional protections.
