Cops, prosecutors want to use red-light cameras for evidence
Jul 2, 2012, 5:41 AM | Updated: 7:03 am
Prosecutors and police agencies want the ability to use red-light cameras to see if they capture images or videos that could help them solve other crimes. (Associated Press)
Police officers around the nation use images and video
from red light cameras to help them solve crimes, but not
in Washington state.
Our red-light camera law is written so specifically that
the images or videos can only be used for traffic
enforcement. It was written to appease privacy advocates
who worried how the images would be used.
The Seattle Times
reports the Legislature could be asked
to
change the law this session. Prosecutors and police
agencies want the ability to use the cameras to see if
they
capture images or videos that could help them solve other
crimes.
The police already use city and state traffic cameras to
look for evidence in a crime. They also use private
security cameras located within crime scenes.
Privacy advocates don’t support a potential expansion.
KIRO Reporter Chris Sullivan contributed to this story.
