Veto. SB1111 and SB1138: Protect Arizona's Privacy and Constitutional Rights

I am writing to urge you to veto Senate Bills 1111 and 1138, which seek to expand the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in Arizona. While proponents of these bills claim they enhance community safety, they fundamentally jeopardize our privacy rights and constitutional protections. Both bills allow for an alarming broad application of ALPR technology without adequate safeguards. SB1111 imposes limitations on ALPR data usage based on vague criteria like "crime-solving," which leaves too much room for interpretation. This ambiguity could easily lead to a culture of surveillance where citizens are monitored without just cause. SB1138 further exacerbates these issues by permitting law enforcement to utilize ALPR systems for tracking individuals without needing probable cause. This is a blatant violation of our constitutional rights, eroding the legal foundation that protects us from unwarranted searches and surveillance. The erosion of our privacy rights does not ensure public safety; it cultivates an atmosphere of distrust and fear among law-abiding citizens. Additionally, both bills require training and operational standards for law enforcement, but these measures cannot counteract the inherent risks associated with unchecked surveillance. History shows that technologies designed for safety can easily be misused, leading to wrongful accusations, targeting of specific communities, and racial profiling. Community safety should not be achieved at the expense of fundamental rights and freedoms. By signing these bills into law, you would effectively endorse a surveillance state where privacy is secondary to policing. I strongly urge you to veto SB1111 and SB1138 to protect the constitutional rights of all Arizonans. Our community’s safety should never come at the cost of our privacy and freedoms.