Mountaineers are always free! However, the recent installation of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) throughout our county threatens that sense of freedom. It's unsettling to know that every trip to the grocery store, every drive to visit family or friends, and even simply running errands is under surveillance.

ALPRs are high-speed cameras that capture data from every vehicle's license plate and store potentially sensitive information, regardless of whether an individual has committed any wrongdoing. While they are touted as tools for crime prevention, their widespread use in Monongalia County constitutes a significant invasion of privacy and an overreach of surveillance that impacts the lives of all residents. Our movements are documented and stored, and we have no control over how long this information is kept or who can access it.

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guards us against unreasonable searches and seizures. However, with ALPR technology, we face continuous, unwarranted data collection that violates our rights. While this technology might assist in specific law enforcement tasks, its generalized deployment intrudes on our civil liberties. The Electronic Privacy Information Center highlights concerns regarding data security and potential misuse, noting that many jurisdictions lack robust regulations governing ALPR data.

We propose removing ALPRs in Monongalia County to ensure they are used lawfully and that our community's privacy is respected. If we allow this unchecked surveillance to continue, it sets a dangerous precedent for further invasions of our personal freedoms. Other communities have successfully challenged the expansion of ALPRs, implementing more protective measures that balance security and privacy, and Monongalia County can do the same.

By signing this petition, you join me in calling upon local authorities to cancel all Flock contracts and remove the cameras from our community. Together, we can ensure that safety and privacy coexist in harmony. Let's protect the sanctity of our everyday lives from unwarranted surveillance.