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Cameras Keep Watch in New Chicago Police Cars

CHICAGO – Fleet Manager Commissioner Michael Picardi disclosed plans to install cameras on 125 new squad cars scheduled for delivery over the next two months, according to Chicago Sun-Times.

by Staff
March 30, 2005
1 min to read


CHICAGO – Fleet Manager Commissioner Michael Picardi disclosed plans to install cameras on 125 new squad cars scheduled for delivery over the next two months, according to Chicago Sun-Times. Chevrolet Impalas will replace the Ford Crown Victorias. Picardi is also experimenting with tiny microphones in the police cars. The microphone is positioned near the windshield and can pick up conversations on the street. Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, said he would be concerned if the police recorded those conversations without a warrant. The Illinois State Police have 1,200 vehicles equipped with cameras. The Cook County sheriff's office has cameras in 144 of its 255 marked police cars. Officers also wear microphones and inform drivers they are being recorded.

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