Sini: Plate Readers Will Be Used To Fight Specific Crimes, Not Round Up Undocumented Immigrants

BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- New crime fighting technology coming to one Long Island town has some in the immigrant community concerned.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner, Tim Sini has offered them his assurances that the license plate scanning technology will be used to fight specific crimes, and not for other purposes, WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reported.

"And we'll make sure that we tailor the rules and procedures that we respect people's privacy and it's not used as a tool to round up undocumented immigrants. This is not going to happen," he said.

License-plate readers capture plate information that can then be checked against a list of wanted suspects, missing people and stolen vehicles.

Officials are hoping the cameras could help in the investigations of gang-related murders that have occurred in recent weeks.

"A virtual cyber net around every community to prevent gang members and to resolve the crimes that are committed by many of the gang members," Assemblyman Phil Ramos, who helped secure the funds, said.

Brentwood has a large immigrant population and the commissioner has reiterated that the cameras are for finding real criminals -- not for other reasons.

Ramos, a former Suffolk County cop, secured $1 million from the state to pay for the readers. To pay for the gang-fighting tools, dozens of cameras will be installed at unnamed intersections. He said residents in his district are tired of "lip service."

"If you choose to continue to commit crimes in our community, we will catch you with this virtual cybernet, and we as a community are pushing back," Ramos said.

Officers would be required to have a specific case number and articulate a reason they need to access the camera information, officials said.