As a concerned citizen of Mission Viejo, I have seen the impact, and potential misuse, of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR). These devices, otherwise known as "flock", have been approved in greater magnitude in our city - 44 flock cameras accompanied by 10 livestream cameras will be installed at various locations. Through AI technology, these cameras capture images of all vehicles within their range and the data can be searched without requiring a warrant.

Alarmingly, there are no federal laws guarding against the misuse of this data, and it is shared across local, state, and federal levels.

The privacy of citizens constitutes a fundamental part of our rights and ALPR puts our privacy at stake. It is worrying that a high-tech surveillance method from a private company (flock) collects exhaustive records of every passing vehicle, and has no clear guidance on how to utilize the gathered data responsibly. We must mitigate the risks associated with such unrestricted access and ensure constitutional and privacy rights are never undermined or violated.

The solution to this would be the establishment of a dedicated oversight committee. This body would enforce best practices, regulate the operations of these automatic readers, and provide a platform for public appraisal of flock's performance. This is not only necessary to safeguard our rights but also to ensure the transparency of these operations for a safer and more trusted environment.

Let's encourage our city officials to take action and ensure our privacy is protected. A system of checks and balances is key to preventing misuse. Sign this petition to support the creation of an oversight committee for Automatic License Plate Readers in Mission Viejo.