1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Hi, I’m a constituent from Santa Monica and a member of Indivisible Westside Los Angeles. I’m writing with deep concern about the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in our state. Atty. Gen. Bonta has notified law enforcement agencies statewide that data collected by ALPRs cannot be shared with federal or out-of-state agencies, as per existing state law. However, dozens of law enforcement agencies have signaled their intent to continue defying the law. Apart from making in-state drivers vulnerable to all manner of privacy violations, this disregard for the law poses a serious threat to visitors who come to California for reproductive care that’s banned in their home states. I urge you to introduce and pass new legislation that explicitly prohibits the use of ALPR data for abortion ban enforcement, and declares such use as a form of official "misuse," subject to penalties. Rogue agencies charged with law enforcement may not be permitted to flout it, especially with stakes so high for the vulnerable people targeted by abortion bans. Thank you for your time and attention.