Every time I leave my neighborhood, I am confronted with the unnerving reality of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) tracking my every move. Jacksonville has become a surveillance zone with 10+ cameras operated by a private corporation within a few hundred feet of my tiny neighborhood. These cameras are not only infringing on the privacy of residents like me but are also targeting our homes, apartments, and even our children's schools. This is not just an invasion of privacy; it's a potential threat to our safety and peace of mind.

ALPRs are marketed as tools for enhancing public safety, but instead, they are becoming instruments of misuse and potential abuse. Reports of individuals using these systems to stalk others, or track the whereabouts of children at gymnastics classes, and even monitor their exes, are becoming alarmingly frequent. The implications of this surveillance extend far beyond the streets; they reach into the very sanctity of our homes and our privacy.

According to a study by Digital Rights Watch, privately owned ALPRs have a 40% error rate, resulting in thousands of false alerts and wrongful monitoring. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has repeatedly called attention to the lack of regulation and oversight in the deployment of these devices. This situation is exacerbated by the corporate interests at play, prioritizing profit over the welfare and rights of individuals.

We are calling on local authorities and Jacksonville city officials to take immediate action: the bare minimum would be to enforce strict regulation on the deployment and use of ALPRs, remove any illegally or unsafely installed ALPRs, mandate complete transparency in data management, and prohibit private corporations from accessing these systems to invade the privacy of our community members. Furthermore, the very least we would accept is to implement policies that penalize misuse and ensure that these systems are only used by law enforcement under strict supervision.

What we really want is every single ALPR is Jacksonville gone. 

We cannot stand idly by as our civil liberties are compromised under the guise of public safety. Together, we can demand a safer, more secure, and privacy-respecting Jacksonville. Sign this petition to urge the removal of predatory ALPRs that undermine our community's trust and liberty.