The City of Fresno is approaching a critical decision point as the City Council prepares to vote on the renewal of its contract with Flock Safety, a company that provides automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology used by police to monitor and track vehicles in our community. While proponents argue that this technology aids in crime fighting, there are significant concerns about privacy and civil liberties that warrant serious reconsideration.

Flock Safety's technology involves installing cameras throughout neighborhoods to capture and store detailed images of all the vehicles that pass by. These cameras can track vehicles in real-time, allowing for wide-scale surveillance that has the potential to be misused. Despite its intended use for improving public safety, this system raises alarm over both privacy invasion and the indiscriminate mass collection of data, much of which concerns individuals who have done nothing wrong.

Research from the Electronic Frontier Foundation highlights that these surveillance tools can lead to discriminatory practices, marginalized communities' over-policing, and even wrongful arrests when data inaccuracies occur. Instances across other cities have shown that without clear regulations and oversight, such technologies can be detrimental rather than beneficial.

As community members, our privacy should not be compromised for the sake of surveillance purchases that paint targets on the backs of ordinary citizens. Furthermore, the cost implications of this contract renewal should be questioned, especially if funds could be redirected towards more community-based public safety solutions.

Fresno City Council members need to hear from their constituents about the importance of safeguarding civil liberties and spending taxpayer money wisely. Instead of reinforcing programs that compromise individual rights for security theater, let's advocate for transparent policing practices that truly benefit all community members.

Sign this petition to urge the Fresno City Council to vote NO on the contract renewal with Flock Safety, and to explore alternative methods that respect both public safety and personal privacy.