BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Erie County Sheriff’s Office plans to acquire equipment to detect whether motorists are under the influence of drugs, even though results aren’t admissible in court due to accuracy concerns.
The purchase of five SoToxa drug analyzers at a cost of $26,000 would be funded through a $2.9 million state grant approved unanimously last week by the county Legislature with no debate or discussion. The money also would pay for surveillance cameras, drones, license plate readers and mobile x-ray equipment designed to capture images of vehicles that would be deployed at all mass gatherings.
Civil libertarians have raised concerns about the x-ray equipment and other surveillance gear. Legislator Howard Johnson, who chairs the Legislature’s public safety committee, said he’s confident the sheriff’s office won’t break any laws with the new technology. You can read more on Investigative Post's website.
