Rochester council backs grant bid for more plate readers after privacy questions answered – Post Bulletin

ROCHESTER — A federal grant could bolster the number of automatic license plate recognition cameras installed in Rochester.

“We’re a little bit behind the curve in adopting this technology,” Rochester Police Chief Jim Franklin told the Rochester City Council on Monday.

The city installed two cameras capable of reading license plates along 41st Street Northwest last week, using funds from a 2025 state grant targeting auto thefts. The cameras help police identify and track vehicles after they are reported stolen.

With 120 auto thefts reported in 2024 and 88 reported last year, Franklin said 41st Street Northwest had the greatest cluster, and he’s hoping funds from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance can help expand coverage to provide real-time alerts as vehicles move through the city.

The anticipated $28,000 federal grant would add four cameras to the city’s stock, while also providing $5,600 to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office for its use under the grant guidelines.

While the grant requires an application, Franklin said the city and county have received funding annually for 10 to 15 years and can be confident in seeing the award based on population and crime statistics.

“This is a very consistent grant that we can rely on,” he said.

The chief said the plan to install four new stationary plate-reading cameras in the city still falls below numbers seen in other parts of the state, where 100 agencies have more than a combined 500 cameras registered with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

The chief pointed to 31 cameras in Blaine, 17 in Woodbury, 15 in Plymouth, 13 in Minnetonka and 11 in Eagan.

Before City Council members were willing to give their unanimous approval Monday for seeking the added federal funding, they asked Franklin for assurances related to use, citing concerns about how the captured images will be used and stored.

“I think we have an opportunity to demystify a…

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