As someone deeply committed to the principles of liberty, freedom, and constitutional democracy, I am alarmed at the city's plan to install surveillance cameras that will track our vehicle tags. This is a decision they have made despite mounting public opposition.

The precedent for such surveillance software brings with it a myriad of concerns. Although currently promised for the exclusive use in detecting criminal offenses, we need to consider scenarios playing out in other parts of the world. For instance, the United Kingdom has drawn criticism for using surveillance to penalize out-of-taste social media posts as criminal offenses. While such conduct may not presently be considered illegal in the USA, it's crucial to preemptively address the potential for the misuse of our personal information in the future. And we the people of the United States should agree that many non-violent activities in the past have been perverted into criminal offenses. 

It may begin with tracking license plates, but where does it end? If unchecked, we risk giving permission for an unprecedented invasion of our privacy that could have irreversible impacts. Applying such arbitrary laws in the future can set a dangerous precedent, enabling the misuse of gathered data for offenses that are yet undefined.

Many may agree with this technology as it can be used for good in some cases, be we should not be deluded into an illusion that it would not be used in the future with ill intent.

This is our city. As its citizens, we have a right to our privacy and a duty to maintain the democratic freedoms we often take for granted. Stand with me to oppose the implementation of vehicle tag surveillance cameras in our city. Your signature is a signal that you believe in freedom, privacy, and the upholding of our constitutional rights. So, I urge you to sign this petition today.