Deflock Port Hueneme

117

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The Issue

The City of Port Hueneme's Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) system operates under a recurring annual subscription cost of $251,400+ per year. Including the LVT'S that now are on private property throughout our community to surveil each and every one of us who are on the road each and every day. Ventura residents alone have voiced their opposition to being surveilled in this fashion, with the money that we as taxpayers pay to fund these intrusive devices. I have informed our city council to put this on the next agenda so that we can talk about this as a community and express our concerns as to the misinformation that has been disseminated down to us. 
The current city council allowed this vote only between themselves, with absolutely no Community input. Because residents refuse to take a stand on issues like this, each one of us will lose our rights little by bit, and allow a handful of individuals to claim we are safer while being survailed daily, it is a big lie by your Council and the police department. Once again if residents are not aware, Port Hueneme and all of Ventura County, have been data breached with our information just floating around. I will be more than happy to circulate a petition to get these intrusive devices off of our streets and for each one of us to stop being a suspect in the eyes of the local government and PHPD...We are not the enemy, the ones in the Government building are...

avatar of the starter
Seth BonillaPetition StarterPort Hueneme resident for 7 years, I am a veteran military Police officer, and currently operate a small business in Port Hueneme. My wife and I have been operating a food distribution point for 18 years, and also are advocates for the homeless.

The Decision Makers

Port Hueneme City Council
5 Members
3 Responded
Steven Gama
Port Hueneme City Council
“The City of Port Hueneme has had success using FLOCK. Success defined as identifying and arresting homicide suspects, arson suspect and the shooter which left a nine year old girl with a TBI. The have nearly 200 successes. I believe Hueneme PD is by far one of the most ethical well trained and professional police departments in the county if not the Nation. Well, there has been some instances where policeman misconduct has been documented with regards to flock. No such misconduct has occurred here in the City Of Port Hueneme. However, the city is as many other cities are implementing new and safeguards to protect against any potential abuse. It’s hard to square privacy versus getting bad people off the streets. I’m for getting bad people off the streets and I think flock is a very useful tool in that regard. Steven”
Laura Hernandez
Port Hueneme City Council
“Thank you for your inquiry. I expect this item will soon be placed on the City Council agenda for discussion. It's important to be transparent on how City Council arrives at a position and to hear directly from our constituents. During my time on City Council, we have had many complaints from residents about speeding, reckless driving, and doing donuts in our beach parking lots. These residents are asking for more law enforcement to police these areas of the City where this is happening. Meanwhile, our Police Department recently reported that from 2020 to 2026, PHPD has made approximately 198 arrests as the result of Flock "hits." At the same time, other residents, including myself are concerned that the Flock Cameras as an ALPR have the potential to be deployed improperly and in violation of our civil rights. Ultimately, the City Council will need to examine this issue carefully and find a solution that the community can trust. I hope this helps until we can have an open discussion. Thank you again for your interest in this important issue. Sincerely Laura Hernandez Mayor Pro Tem”
Jesus Lopez
Port Hueneme City Council
“I have a future agenda item request to our City council on ALPR for second meeting in September. I will be requesting staff to present to the council and our residents, cost, locations, historical significance of when this started, auditing, oversight, arrest made due to ALPR and accountability enforcement for users Respectfully, Jess Lopez”
James Vega
City Manager

Petition Updates