Burr Ridge Cops May Expand Camera Surveillance, Change Neighborhood Program

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge officials are considering expanding camera surveillance, but that could prove costly.

Across the country, license plate-reading cameras have made police more efficient.

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But some fear that such technology threatens Americans' privacy. In Darien, a resident has launched a campaign against police cameras.

On Monday, Burr Ridge trustees plan to look at the village staff's recommendations to add 10 to 15 cameras, placing them on major roads and near downtown and other commercial areas.

For years, the village has used cameras from Flock, a private company that is a favorite among police departments.

The village said Flock cameras are highly searchable, returning results by color, specific license plates and other identifying features.

The village wants to extend Flock cameras to subdivisions.

Twenty years ago, the village launched a program in which it covered half the costs for cameras at subdivisions' entrances. Seventeen neighborhoods have signed up.

But those cameras' technology often falls short of Flock's, according to a village memo.

Now, Burr Ridge officials are considering replacing subdivision cameras with the Flock brand. Each Flock camera costs $3,900 a year to lease, the village said.

With the subdivision program, the village is looking at covering half the annual costs. More neighborhoods may join when they find out about Flock's effectiveness, according to the memo.

Now, the village spends $75,000 a year on its camera program outside the Village Center, often referred to as Burr Ridge's downtown.

With the proposed changes, the village may see the line item increase to $115,000 to $135,000.

"Staff has concerns about adding this level of recurring expenditure to the General Fund without corresponding consideration of potential revenue enhancements to offset these costs," the village memo said.

Trustees plan to discuss the issue at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Gower Middle School, 7941 Madison St.

The village is selling Village Hall and building a new one, so it will meet at Gower for about a year.