“There is no tool in the history of policing that’s been used equitably and hasn’t disproportionately impacted people of color,” At-Large Council member Sharon Hurt said.
If the technology is deployed, it would come as Police Chief John Drake has pledged to phase out routine traffic stops. Independent reviews found Nashville traffic stops disproportionately targeted people of color but did not reduce crime rates.
Council member Bob Nash, a former Nashville police commander, said he trusts Drake to implement a program that would be acceptable to the community and council.
"This is a license plate reader. It doesn't know if you're white, or if you're black, or if you're red or yellow," he said. "It doesn't know if you're rich or poor. It does know maybe if you're driving a stolen car."