OMAHA- Last week, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office proposed to add license plate readers to Omaha's streets, a new technology that they believed would help deter crime and capture stolen vehicles. Only a week after the proposal was made to the city council and debate was had over the matter, the Sheriff's Office made the decision to pull the proposal.

Previously, the Sheriff's Office was allowed a 12-month trial period with the license plate readers, and was given 15 devices by Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based company that develops such technology.

Prior to pulling the proposal from the City Council, Will Niemack, a captain with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, stated, "We do believe the cameras will have a positive effect in catching criminals." Niemack reportedly agreed to enter into the trial period because of Omaha's recent rise in crime rates.

Spike Eickholt, a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, claimed that the technology would be used for "systemic surveillance of the people of Omaha." He went on to say, "We encourage the City Council not to approve this ordinance. Alternatively, we should ask that you wait and see. It's a trial period, wait and see how it works for them."

The Sheriff's Office did not respond to questions regarding why they pulled the proposal.

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