The City of San Diego’s use of automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, are a common topic up for public debate. Over the last few years, there have been concerns over privacy, safety and misuse of data collected. On Thursday, some city councilmembers and community groups met to discuss the p otential impact. San Diego has used Flock’s ALPR technology for about two years now. While some say the surveillance technology lowers crime, opponents argue it puts vulnerable communities at risk. For example, there are growing concerns, as voiced Thursday, that confidential data collected could be used for immigration enforcement. City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera has been vocal about his opposition to the technology. “The number of people who are being given legitimate reasons to fear the federal government is rising on a daily basis. It seems unacceptable to me that we would unnecessarily expose these good, honest, law-abiding people to risk of giving cruel and lawless federal government another tool to violate their rights and tear families apart,” said Elo-Rivera. But supporters like Councilmember Raul Campillo argue ALPRs keep people safe. He cited statistics including a 20% lower rate of car thefts. He described how the technology has helped catch kidnappers and drug traffickers. “We have evidence that we are the safest big city in America. And that’s partly because of this technology. We are also 1,000 police officers short of what we should have, relative to other big cities in the country,” said Campillo. The city council vote on whether to reauthorize the technology is set next week on Dec. 9. ...read more read less