As a taxpayer and resident of the North Hills area, I frequently travel Cumberland Road. Cumberland Road can be a very high-traffic area.
I have been an educator for decades, and student safety is so important. I’m pleased to see that the North Allegheny School District and McCandless officials collaborated to install license plate reader (LPR) technology at critical intersections of the Route 19 corridor. While the school board’s discussion about using LPR technology was appropriate and timely, installing the technology ultimately helps protect students, staff, pedestrians and businesses.
Police departments and public safety professionals have used LPR technology for years to prevent and solve crimes, manage traffic and improve security. Should we assure that the information gathered is protected and secure? Absolutely.
But we can’t let misconceptions about data security prevent us from accessing tools that have been proven to keep our community safe. Employing these tools can literally save lives.
Efforts to make progress to safeguard students require consistent, forward-thinking action, and I applaud both the town and the North Allegheny School Board for placing a premium on safety.
Ruth Auld
West View