Donelson HOA Board Meets to Install License Plate Reading Cameras

DONELSON, TN (WSMV) – The Donelson Homeowners Association Board is trying to install its own license plate readers (LPRs).

LPRs are cameras designed to capture and record vehicle license plates, and the Harborview Borough wants these cameras installed throughout the area.

Council members said they are tired of crime and the city’s failure to install its own cameras.

Homeowners in the Harborview neighborhood shared their thoughts on the matter ahead of an HOA board meeting.

Harborview homeowner Augustine Chiper said: “What, another one is spying on us.”

Chipper said the proposal is controversial.

Some homeowners say installing LPRs is a step too far and invades privacy, while others say they could help police fight crime in the area.

Harborview homeowner Molly Moore said she supports their installation, especially after the recent shooting in the neighborhood.

Moore said the recent shooting hit close to home.

“This man was standing in our front yard when the shots were fired, so the news that we were going to take action to prevent bad things from happening in the area made me and my husband very excited,” Moore said.

HOA board members held a virtual meeting Friday night to discuss how they plan to pay for the LPR cameras, tell homeowners they can opt out of using the cameras by reading their signs and hear questions from opponents.

Moore said she attended the virtual meeting knowing how controversial opinions might arise.

“I knew the discussions would probably be all over the place about privacy and the costs associated with it and all that kind of stuff,” Moore said.

HOA board members said funding for these LPRs would come from the regular monthly HOA dues that people have already paid and there would be no increase in monthly fees, but many said the funds could be used for other ways to improve the area.

“I guess I can understand that, but that information will not be made public, so as long as no one is doing anything wrong, no one will be extracting the data,” Moore said.

HOA board members said an online voting portal has been activated allowing people to vote for or against residents. This portal will close on Wednesday and a decision will be made.

If the LPRs are approved, they could be installed sometime in November.