A motion to install license plate readers in the San Fernando Valley was approved by the Los Angeles City Council, Tuesday.

Councilman John Lee introduced the motion, which received an 11-1 vote to proceed for further deliberation, with Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez holding the only dissenting vote.

“I just can’t stress enough how important this project is for our community,” Lee said Tuesday. “Especially as certain portions of our district continue seeing a disproportionate increase in certain  crimes, like residential burglaries.”

Lee represents council district 12, which includes the San Fernando neighborhoods of Northridge, Reseda, West Hills, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, and Granada Hills. The councilman said crime in his district increased more than 100% in certain communities.

Councilman Lee explained that the cameras would be used strictly for plate-reading purposes as needed by law enforcement. Lee added that they would not be used for traffic enforcement and would not result in traffic tickets.

“I’m pleased that today we are able to deliver on a critical project that will help with not only holding criminals accountable,” Lee said. “But also deter those crimes from taking place in the first place.”

During the Tuesday city council meeting, residents of District 12 voiced concerns over the plate readers, noting that fake license plates can be used to bypass the readers. One commenter expressed fear that the plate readers would violate privacy and will eventually lead to ways to track the public.

A total of $250,000 would be allocated to the license plate reader program.