A new federal law aims to curb the growing use of cameras across the country.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware says the law, dubbed “No Trespassing by Cameras,” is designed to help police better manage crowding and ensure public safety.
The legislation was approved by the Delaware Legislature on Wednesday.
It would require cameras installed on public streets, sidewalks, bike paths, public transit systems, and the like to have warning lights on them and to have audible warning that the camera is about to turn on or stop filming.
If the camera detects a threat or other violation, the police officer will be able to request a warrant to seize the video.
The ACLU says it’s unclear how many cameras are currently in operation across the state, but a recent report from the Delaware State Police says there are 1,500.
Law enforcement agencies across the United States are increasingly installing cameras to catch speeding drivers and to monitor traffic.
Some police departments have installed more than 1,000 cameras in the past few years.
But lawmakers in Delaware say the legislation could do more.
It’s an example of the push to put cameras under control, said Chris Anderson, a policy analyst at the ACLU.
The bill would create a $2 million fund to reimburse local law enforcement agencies for any cost associated with the installation and maintenance of cameras.
The state’s Department of Public Safety has been in discussions with law enforcement about whether to accept the funds, he said.
The law is modeled after a law in Texas that requires cameras on state highways, but it includes exceptions for schools, parks and other private property, he added.
“It would help to prevent the proliferation of cameras,” Anderson said.
“We’re very happy that Delaware is the first state to adopt the law.”
The ACLU has long advocated for cameras to be placed where there’s a reasonable risk of the public not understanding them, and said it’s important to have clear guidelines for how they should be used.
The organization supports efforts to educate motorists on how to use their rights and when they’re allowed to enter a building, Anderson said, noting that a recent federal court ruling found that an officer could use a cellphone camera while on the job.
The Delaware legislation is just one of several states that are trying to address the growing number of cameras, including New York, Illinois, Illinois and Wisconsin.
The National Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials says the number of traffic cameras has more than doubled in recent years, from fewer than 10,000 in 2011 to more than 20,000 today.
The number of public and private cameras has nearly tripled in the last two decades, according to the organization.
The cameras are used to record incidents like traffic violations, arrests, or traffic citations.
The NATSHTO estimates that 1.7 million people in the United State have been arrested using a cellphone or a computer camera in 2016.
But the ACLU says the growing popularity of cameras is creating a growing problem.
The group says the increase in use has led to a significant increase in police misconduct and has resulted in the loss of valuable property.
The civil rights organization filed a federal lawsuit last year challenging the legality of Delaware’s cameras, claiming the state is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The lawsuit was dismissed last year, but an appeals court later overturned that decision, saying the case should be thrown out.
Anderson said it appears Delaware will likely be the first place in the country to enact similar legislation.
The federal appeals court sided with the ACLU, but said it wasn’t clear that the cameras were being used properly.
The department of public safety has no plans to enact any new camera laws, Anderson added.