City council approves funds to purchase license plate readers

Fort Myers city council recently approved funding distribution in the amount of $45,652.00 for the acquisition of license plate readers for the Fort Myers Police Department.

According to documents reviewed by County Examiner, representatives of the Fort Myers and Cape Coral Police Departments, along with the Lee County Port Authority Police and Lee County Human Services met in June to agree on the distribution of $188,768 in funds set aside by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Funding originated from the 2018 Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for use by all units of government within Lee County.

In a letter transmitted from Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson, the funds will be distributed accordingly:

An examination of the grant application revealed Fort Myers Police Departments prior purchase of equipment from Vetted Security Solutions and finding them to be a reputable company. The acquisition of six additional LPRs from Vigilant will allow FMPD to set the system so it flags:

• Expired License Plate Tags 

• Expired Registration 

• Insurance that is expired 

• Persons of interest in criminal matters 

• Suspended driver's license 

• Outstanding arrest warrant 

• Unpaid taxes or fines 

Florida Statute (316.0778) addresses the records retention requirements of license plate readers. In consultation with the Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of State shall establish a retention schedule for records containing images and data generated using an automated license plate recognition system. The retention schedule must establish a maximum period that the records may be retained. 

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