Unlike their counterparts in Oak Park, River Forest officials have no plans to make changes to the village’s Automatic License Plate Reader vendor.
“We will not cancel the contract with our vendor,” police Chief James Greenwood said, referring to Minuteman Security Technologies of Tinley Park.
“We use a completely separate system with safeguards for data that exceed Flock’s setup,” he added, referring to Flock Safety, the surveillance technology vendor whose contract with Oak Park was canceled by that village’s officials Aug. 5. River Forest has had a contract with Minuteman since 2018.
In voting to cancel their contract with Flock, Oak Park trustees cited concerns over privacy, distrust of the Flock corporation and the potential for the cameras to be used for immigration enforcement in violation of both state law and village sanctuary ordinances.
Flock Safety, which operates the largest such system in the country, has been accused of allowing unlawful access to Illinois license plate camera data, including most recently when the Illinois Secretary of State’s office discovered that the firm had allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to access Illinois license plate cameras on Illinois roads and surveil drivers. That revelation came after officials discovered earlier this year that Flock had allowed outside law enforcement to access Illinois data related to abortion and immigration.
River Forest currently operates a network of 44 such cameras, with the majority installed at fixed strategic locations throughout the village and three units mounted on police vehicles. These are complemented by 75 street surveillance cameras, “creating a comprehensive system for monitoring and responding to criminal activity,” Greenwood said.
He said the cameras are concentrated in commercial corridors; high-traffic intersections; and areas with recurring criminal activity, adding, “This strategic deployment maximizes coverage and effectiveness in both crime prevention and response.”
The village started with one vehicle mounted license plate camera in 2018. Two fixed locations and another vehicle mounted system were added in 2019. The original fixed locations were at Lake Street and Harlem Avenue and at Lake and Thatcher Avenue. The locations were selected due to Lake being the village’s main business district and having a concentration of schools, he said.
“In 2018, the River Forest Police Department initiated the deployment of (these cameras) as part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety and modernize investigative capabilities,” said Greenwood. “The department’s ongoing investment in this technology reflects a clear commitment to proactive policing and data-driven enforcement.
“The department selected Minuteman Security Technologies as its (camera) vendor, utilizing Genetec hardware and the Osprey software platform. This combination has proven to be reliable, secure and well-integrated with the department’s operational needs. Notably, the department does not use Flock systems, which have raised concerns in other jurisdictions.”
Other western suburbs that are Minuteman clients include Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn and Oak Brook.
Greenwood said advantages that these cameras provide include the automated identification of vehicles suspected in criminal offenses; real-time alerts for suspended registrations, stolen vehicles and wanted individuals; enhanced investigative capabilities, linking suspects to multiple incidents; and increased efficiency in traffic enforcement and criminal investigations.
“When the department sought to implement a (camera) system, we prioritized reliability, data security and integration with the broader public safety infrastructure,” Greenwood said. “These priorities led us to select Minuteman Security Technologies as the vendor of choice.
“Data privacy and security are central to the department’s (camera) program. Access to ALPR data is strictly limited to 13 vetted Illinois law enforcement agencies, all of which must be approved by the department. This controlled sharing ensures responsible use of sensitive information while supporting regional collaboration. That level of control is essential to us — and to the community we serve.”
The system “has played a critical role in a wide range of investigations,” Greenwood said, including in December when license plate readers and street cameras helped identify suspects involved in a $20,000 theft and shooting at an Ulta store and in April when license plate cameras identified the getaway vehicle used when two masked men robbed a discount cigarette store. The license plate and street cameras also were instrumental in solving thefts at Panera, Walgreens and in residential areas, leading to arrests and recovery of stolen items, he added.
Greenwood said the department plans to upgrade and expand the license plate camera network.
“The department’s satisfaction with Minuteman Security Technologies and the effectiveness of the current system indicate a strong foundation for future growth,” he said. “We’ve been so pleased with the system’s performance that we’ve expanded our (license plate camera) network rather than switching vendors. That decision reflects our confidence in Minuteman — not just as a technology provider, but as a partner in public safety.
“In a time when surveillance technology is under increasing scrutiny, we believe we’ve found the right balance: using powerful tools to keep our community safe, while protecting the privacy and rights of our residents. Minuteman has helped us do that.”