Hudson County residents spar over potential license plate reader cameras
The proposal, introduced as a traffic enforcement measure, would allow the township to install automated cameras designed to capture license plate data along busy corridors.
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The Hudson County Commission has once again postponed a vote on whether to allow the township of Weehawken to install license plate reader cameras on county roads, extending a debate that has unfolded for weeks.
The proposal, introduced as a traffic enforcement measure, would allow the township to install automated cameras designed to capture license plate data along busy corridors.
Commissioners were initially expected to vote earlier this month, but concerns raised by county residents at an April 9 meeting made them push back the vote.
“I would really ask you to just table this for now and do more research to really understand what you're doing here, if it's in line with what the county has been discussing with regards to ICE and immigration,” one resident told commissioners.
Several residents asked county leaders to examine how data collected by the cameras could be accessed and shared by other jurisdictions.
“Those seeking gender-affirming care, abortion access in New Jersey, could be targeted by federal authorities if they're coming from a state where that's been outlawed,” another resident said during public comment.
Despite the pushback, though, not all Weehawken residents oppose the cameras.
Some told News 12 they believe the technology could improve public safety.
“I think there are a lot of people at this intersection that don't necessarily use a lot of caution, especially at this intersection,” said Anika Beavers of Weehawken. “We cross it daily to go to school and back, so I think it's probably a good idea.”
Others dismissed privacy concerns, saying license plate monitoring is already widespread.
“Everybody has it now,” said Carlos Diez, also a Weehawken resident. “Everywhere you go to, they can review, they can check your license plate. So if they can stop the noise, the speeding here at night, that would be great.”
For now, the commission has not announced when the vote will be taken up again.
