HOLMES BEACH, Fla. — City leaders in Holmes Beach have approved the use of license plate readers on the Island, but some residents disagree with the decision.
"The only time an officer is going to get an alert on you is if your car is stolen or you are wanted,” said Chief William Tokajer.
He said other municipalities, including Longboat Key, are already using the license plate readers.
"Everywhere you drive now you are going by a license plate reader. When you do pay by plate that's a reader, when you go over the Skyway there's a reader,” said Tokajer.
But residents like Mark Knowles believes the readers are an invasion of privacy.
“A lot of stuff is done in the name of safety, I don’t think that’s what’s going on here,” said Knowles.
He would like city leaders to reconsider adding the devices to the island.
Tokajer said they plan to install the license plate readers in the fall.
