The Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) has officially ceased the purchase, lease, operation, and maintenance of all fixed Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems across county and state roads.

The move follows a Knox County Commission emergency ordinance. In response, the agency has uninstalled all fixed ALPR hardware and suspended active access.

While defending the technology as an “invaluable benefit” for public safety, KCSO emphasized its commitment to transparency, accountability, and cooperation with local leadership, including Mayor Betsy Henderson and the County Commission. The department stated it plans to share data highlighting the success of these investigative tools in the future while continuing to protect the community with its remaining resources.