Provo police plan AI camera upgrade amid privacy concerns

Source Domain: kutv.com

PROVO, Utah (KUTV) — Police in Provo began preparing for a major technological upgrade, aiming to bring artificial intelligence into both patrol cars and body-worn cameras. The plan calls for dozens of new devices equipped with advanced tools, raising questions about how residents’ movements could be recorded, stored and used.

Drivers in the city have already weighed in. Zack Taylor said, “It doesn’t make me feel any safer. It just makes me feel in trouble.”

The department plans to add 80 in-car dash cameras alongside 80 upgraded body-worn cameras. But this would not be just a routine upgrade — it’s a step into an AI-driven future. As vehicles patrol the streets, the cameras could automatically scan license plates and cross-check them against police databases.

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Former law enforcement officer Chris Burbank has been helping craft AI policy for police departments. He warned that agencies must avoid early missteps, similar to those experienced when Tasers were first introduced.

“You’re going to catch all kinds of activity that isn’t necessarily criminal, but it certainly invades people’s expectation of privacy,” Burbank said.

He emphasized the need for clear limits on how the technology is used, who can access the data, and how long it is retained, stressing that these decisions should be guided by public input.

Democratic state Sen. Stephanie Pitcher has also expressed caution. She proposed law enforcement AI amendments last session — a bill that didn’t become law — but she continues to focus on the issue. Speaking about dash cams, Pitcher said, “I certainly have a certain level of discomfort about that very sophisticated technology being deployed. I understand it can also be a good crime detection tool, but I think there is a fine line between crime detection and mass surveillance.”

KUTV 2 News reached out to the mayor of Provo and police with questions, including why the city is prioritizing this…

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