DARIEN, IL – A man told the Darien City Council on Monday that the police department's surveillance cameras were a "disgusting" overreach of government power.
Like many towns, Darien has installed license plate reader cameras on its streets.
During public comments, Henry Fiorentino alleged that the cameras have a searchable database for every car on the road.
"This is an unacceptable violation of our Fourth Amendment rights," he said. "The government has no right to track where we go, when we go there or how often we do if we are not suspected of any crime. This is not how a free society operates."
He said he was sure the cameras help catch criminals. But following that reasoning, he said, the city could install microphones on every street corner to record outdoor conversations.
"That would catch a lot more criminals," Fiorentino said. "It would just require a complete and shameless abandonment of our principles as a free society."
Mayor Joseph Marchese asked whether any officials wanted to comment. No one did.
In response to Patch's inquiry Tuesday, Police Chief Greg Thomas noted the speaker pointed to the ability to capture criminals. But the chief said the cameras had other uses.
He said the cameras helped police find a person who was considered suicidal, who was then taken to the hospital.
"Without the (camera) locating the vehicle and getting this subject, the help he needed may not have occurred," Thomas said.
The data on the cameras is stored for 30 days, he said.
Noting the speaker's arguments, Thomas said he did not know of a case that had gone to the U.S. Supreme Court to address the question.
He said bills in Springfield include standards for data retention, access and transparency to address privacy concerns.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Darien, IL Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.