SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP and 25News Now ) — One of the nation’s leading operators of automated license-plate reading systems announced Monday it has paused its operations with federal agencies because of confusion and concern — including in Illinois — about the purpose of their investigations.

Flock Safety cameras are mounted in more than 4,000 communities nationwide including Peoria, East Peoria, Pekin, Bloomington, Normal, and LeRoy.

The company put a hold last week on pilot programs with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection and its law enforcement arm, Homeland Security Investigations, according to a statement by its founder and CEO, Garrett Langley.

Among officials in other jurisdictions, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias raised concerns. H

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