This week, Aug. 16-22, is a national week of action against automated license plate readers.
Automated license plate readers are solar-powered cameras, usually mounted on thin, black poles along busy roads. Many are made by Flock Safety. They photograph every passing car, logging the plate number, the time, the location and details such as bumper stickers and vehicle damage. That information enters a network other police agencies can search, often far outside the city where the camera is located.
More than 60 Arizona law enforcement agencies work with Flock. However, five Arizona communities have now walked away: Flagstaff, Sedona, South Tucson, Pinal County and Chandler.
Chandler was the most recent and the most abrupt. On Aug. 6, the police department opened an internal investigation into possible misuse of its camera system and cut off all employee access to it. The next day, the city announced it was dropping the technology entirely. Police Chief Bryan Chapman said no one’s privacy was compromised, and the investigation is ongoing.
Two days earlier, Pinal County Sheriff Ross Teeple told county supervisors he would not renew his contract, citing “serious Fourth Amendment concerns.”
Arizona has no state law governing how the cameras are used, who can search the data, or how long it is kept.
Here’s how to take action:
Find the cameras near you
DeFlock maintains a crowdsourced map of reported license plate readers across the country. You can look up your own neighborhood, and add a camera if you spot one that isn’t listed.
Attend an event this week
Organizers are hosting town halls, educational sessions and informal meetups nationwide during the week of action.
Speak at your city council meeting
With Chandler and Pinal County out, the live decisions are still being made in the cities that still hold contracts. Check your own council agenda for a Flock or ALPR item. In Chandler, residents are now pressing for a permanent ordinance barring the cameras. “Our public pressure campaign was extremely effective,” said Nathan Taylortaft, co-director of East Valley Unite.
Call your lawmakers and sign the petition
Both are pushing for federal limits on the technology.
Connect with a local group
DeFlock lists organizing groups by area.
Have an event to add? Email our State Organizing Coordinator at Martin@couriernewsroom.com with details at least one week before the event date.
Not sure whether you’re registered to vote? Use the tool below to check your registration, find your polling place, and stay updated for future elections.
