1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the deployment of Flock Safety license plate reader cameras in our community. While I understand the appeal of technology-based approaches to public safety, I believe these surveillance systems pose serious risks to the civil liberties and privacy rights of our constituents. Flock cameras capture and store the license plate data of every vehicle that passes through their range, regardless of whether the driver is suspected of any wrongdoing. This amounts to the mass, warrantless surveillance of law-abiding citizens going about their daily lives. The data collected can reveal where people worship, seek medical care, attend political meetings, or visit friends and family — information that is deeply personal and should remain private. I am also concerned about data retention and access policies. Once this data exists, it can be accessed by law enforcement agencies beyond our local jurisdiction, shared with federal authorities, and potentially exposed through data breaches. The communities most harmed by over-policing are also the most likely to be harmed by this technology, as studies have shown that automated license plate readers can be used in ways that disproportionately impact communities of color and immigrant populations. Furthermore, the efficacy of these systems in reducing serious crime has not been conclusively established. The significant financial cost to taxpayers is difficult to justify without clear, independent evidence that public safety outcomes improve meaningfully. I urge you to oppose any legislation or funding that would expand the use of Flock surveillance cameras, and to support policies that protect the privacy and civil liberties of all constituents. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue further.