Presentation on Automatic License Plate Readers at Point Loma & OB Dems Meeting — Sunday, Oct.26

Oct 26 — Monthly Meeting, Shut ALPRs Down
Monthly Meeting Sunday, October 26, 4:00-5:30PM, Pt Loma Assembly
Point Loma & OB Dems

Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) are being used to track all of us, and the data is being illegally shared with Federal departments. It has been used to track immigrants and asylum seekers, as well as women seeking abortions.

Nancy Relaford of the TRUST San Diego coalition will give a presentation and answer your questions about ALPRs — and what we can do to help our elected officials  —Shut ALPRs Down.

The San Diego Police Department (that uses a system made by FLOCK) says it stopped sharing surveillance data with federal authorities and other out-of-state agencies but only after state Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office told the department it was likely violating state law. — KPBS.org

Despite numerous requests to the El Cajon Police Department to cease, Attorney General Bonta sued El Cajon for illegally sharing license plate data with out-of-state law enforcement.

“This technology is ungovernable, given the number of agencies, interests, and impossibility of true compliance enforcement,” says UC San Diego associate professor Lilly Irani.

Clubmembers Michelle Krug and John Loughlin were successful in having the California Democratic Party adopt a resolution against the use of ALPRs — and on Tuesday this week the San Diego County Democratic Party voted to go a step further and demand elected officials in cities across San Diego and the county itself to immediately cease use and funding for ALPRs.

The Point Loma & OB Dems recently helped support TRUST San Diego’s Safety in Unity 2025 Conference, that brought together organizers from across the nation to learn how to fight against mass #surveillance and #alpr in San Diego!

 Resolution of the San Diego County Democratic Party

Opposing Automated License Plate Readers and Prioritizing Community Investments over Surveillance Expansion.

WHEREAS, Automated License Plate Reader systems present significant privacy and civil rights concerns, with data potentially accessible to federal immigration agencies, putting immigrant and marginalized communities at risk; and

WHEREAS, the continued investment in Automated License Plate Readers diverts critical resources away from essential community programs such as parks, libraries, and safety net services that foster healthy, thriving neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, local leaders, organizations, and community members have expressed overwhelming opposition to Automated License Plate Reader funding, citing its potential misuse, lack of regulation, and threats to democratic freedoms and community trust.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the San Diego County Democratic Party demands our local Democratic electeds in our 18 cities and our county work to immediately cease use and funding for Automated License Plate Reader systems and ensure all previously collected data is securely deleted to protect community privacy and safety;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the San Diego County Democratic Party demands our local Democratic electeds in our 18 cities and our county work to reallocate funds previously designated for Automated License Plate Reader technology towards community-based programs, such as extended library hours, public park maintenance, increased recreational opportunities, hygiene infrastructure, and emergency response services.