Fox 10 reports that the "cact-eye" cameras are designed to read license plates, and will help police find stolen cars and automobiles cited in Amber Alerts.

The plan was not made public until residents caught workers installing the fake plants and Fox 10 went to the city for answers.

Town Manager Kevin Burke assured residents that their questions will be answered before the cameras go live. He also told Fox 10 that the decision to use fake cactus plants to house traffic cameras was made because there are no light poles in the designated areas and they wanted the camera housing to be “aesthetically pleasing.”

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Instructor Daniel Jean-Baptiste reminds students to "measure twice, cut once" while using a hand saw at the Construction Ready accelerated summer program at Westside Works in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The program provides training for careers in construction and the skilled trades. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com