Madison, Alabama, installs license plate readers to track stolen cars and criminals, facing privacy concerns.

The city of Madison, Alabama, plans to install 14 license plate readers to help locate stolen cars and track criminals. The $90,000 initiative, set to be completed by year-end, aims to enhance police efficiency. Critics worry about privacy, but officials argue the technology only retains data when linked to criminal activity and deletes snapshots after 30 days. The system will be managed by Flock Group Inc., providing access to a national network of similar devices.