PORTLAND, Maine—Maine police and privacy advocates say they've reached an accord on how officers can use surveillance cameras that can read a vehicle's license plate.
The two sides agreed that license plate recognition systems can only be used when police are doing a criminal investigation, are worried about public safety, are enforcing civil orders or are responding to law enforcement bulletins.
Some had argued the cameras could be used to watch law-abiding citizens.
The agreement headed off a floor debate in the Maine state Senate.
The South Portland police department is the first to use such a system.
South Portland Police Chief Edward Googins tells the Portland Press Herald the agreement won't prevent officers from using the system to do their jobs.
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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com
