License plate cameras coming to Bloomington

BLOOMINGTON (25 NEWS) - Bloomington Police are getting new technology to help fight violent crime.

The city council approved license plate readers on a two-year contract at a cost of almost $57,500.

In the first year, cameras will be placed in 10 areas that police saw are affected by violent crime.

Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington says the cameras will only take still photos of the license plate and capture a vehicle’s color make and model.

“We can use the system that will capture that data to find a date, time and location of the possible movement of those vehicles involved in those crimes that will then create an investigative lead for us,” he said.

Simington says the cameras can only be used for violent crimes.

One Bloomington resident thinks it’ll be an asset.

I think it’s an asset and a benefit for our community,” said Downtown Bloomington business owner Vicki Tilton.

“I think it can help with crime, I have no problem with it,” said Tilton.

Police will also be required to publish the camera usage logs online.

Simington hopes the cameras will start going up in the next 60 days.