Police Cameras Prompt Western Springs Residents' Concerns

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs' purchase of six surveillance cameras has prompted objections.

A year ago, the village started using six license plate-reading cameras under an agreement with Motorola.

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At last week's Village Board meeting, Lyons Township High School student Joaquin Fabara spoke about his concerns.

In recent months, towns across the country have been facing resistance to such cameras, particularly the Flock brand.

Elmhurst, Darien and Burr Ridge are among the towns where residents have objected at meetings.

Fabara pointed to contractual provisions that he said give Motorola control over data. He said Motorola retains all rights to the data and the retention periods.

"This is a complete breach of privacy," he said. "While I understand the police having this data, having a private company have it is a different issue entirely."

On Monday, Patch filed a public records request for the contract.

Fabara said he understands local police have good intentions with the cameras, but he feared the lack of control over the data.

He pointed to instances where he said license plate-reading cameras have been used elsewhere to help ICE.

"Western Springs is able to share its data with law enforcement agencies like ICE, as it has been used to track down individuals for deportation in the past," Fabara said.

Two other Lyons Township High School students later spoke about their concerns with the cameras.

In response to Fabara, Village President Heidi Rudolph said officials could meet with him about how the village uses the data.

"I think you bring up some very good points," she said.

Rudolph also said the village would take another full look at the terms in the Motorola agreement, particularly what the company can do with the information.

In an email to Patch, the village's spokesperson, Selmin Cicek, said the cameras have been in use since July 2025.

"(The) information from these cameras has helped Police personnel successfully track stolen vehicles, locate missing persons, and solve commercial thefts," Cicek said.