Benjamin Franklin once said: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

In Paulding County, Georgia, the deployment of Flock and other license plate readers infringes upon our constitutional rights, specifically the 4th Amendment. This is not just a legal issue but a deeply personal one for those of us who value our privacy and freedom.

The 4th Amendment of the United States Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, ensuring our right to privacy. However, the constant surveillance of license plate readers in our county turns our everyday movements into a perpetual monitoring exercise, and that feels like living under watchful eyes at all times. This is a severe intrusion into our private lives and goes against the very fabric of freedom that this country is built on.

Flock license plate readers scan and store the data of our vehicles without consent. This method of data gathering is intrusive by nature, making every citizen in Paulding County a suspect by default. It's not just about tracking wrongdoers; it's about surveilling the entire population indiscriminately, which poses a significant risk to our civil liberties.

Statistics and studies have shown that while intended for greater security, mass surveillance methods like these do not statistically guarantee a decrease in crime rates. Instead, they foster an environment of fear and mistrust among the citizens.

Moreover, there are issues regarding data security: How is this data protected? Who has access to it? What measures are in place to prevent misuse or unauthorized sharing of our personal data? These are questions that remain inadequately answered by the authorities.

By removing these license plate readers, Paulding County can protect its residents' privacy and adhere to constitutional protections. Instead of surveillance technologies with dubious efficacy, we can pivot resources towards community-based policing and preventive measures that build trust and ensure safety without compromising our freedoms.

Join me in urging the local government to take action against this invasive surveillance. Sign this petition to demand that Paulding County, Georgia, respect the 4th Amendment and remove all Flock and other license plate readers from our community. Together, we can safeguard our constitutional rights and preserve our privacy.