BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah — The Tremonton Garland Police Department has uninstalled a trial license plate recognition camera and decided against purchasing the technology following community pushback over privacy and effectiveness, department leadership announced Tuesday.
In a statement addressed to the community, Police Chief Dustin Cordova acknowledged widespread feedback regarding the camera, which had been installed on a trial basis to evaluate its usefulness in criminal investigations. Following a review of the pilot program results, officials concluded that the technology did not provide sufficient benefits to justify its potential cost or the privacy concerns raised by local residents.
“Protecting this community means protecting both your safety and your rights, and those two things are not in conflict,” Cordova said. “We are on the same team.”
Cordova clarified that while community members frequently referred to the device as a “Flock camera,” the system tested was actually manufactured by Motorola using similar license plate recognition technology. The department did not purchase the equipment prior to the test, agreeing only to a temporary trial to determine whether the tool genuinely improved public safety enough to warrant long-term adoption.
“Trying new technology does not mean we are committed to keeping it,” Cordova explained. “A pilot program gives us an opportunity to evaluate a tool in our own community, consider its effectiveness and its impact on our residents, and make an informed decision about whether it belongs here.”
The test camera has since been removed, and police confirmed the department will not purchase the technology moving forward. Cordova emphasized that public trust is essential to law enforcement and thanked residents for taking the time to make their voices heard.