FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno city leaders are planning to establish an ad hoc committee to review the city’s use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) amid growing concerns about privacy and surveillance.
Councilmembers Mike Karbassi and Nick Richardson are expected to lead the committee, which will work to develop a more refined framework for the technology’s use.
ALPRs are used by the Fresno Police Department through a network of cameras designed to help officers investigate crimes and locate suspects. Supporters say the technology provides an important tool for public safety.
“This is such a big subject matter. It involves so many experts that aren’t here today. I’m talking about law enforcement experts, IT experts, constitutional law experts,” said Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias, who represents District 3.
Some residents also see value in the technology.
“Our security is very important to our community,” said Bob Frarr.
On Wednesday, Fresno police arrested two minors after an armed carjacking led officers on a short pursuit that ended in a crash in downtown Fresno. Officers located the stolen vehicle after receiving an alert from an automated license plate reader.
Mayor Jerry Dyer has also defended the technology, citing its role in helping law enforcement investigations.
“Video policing cameras, NIBIN, license plate readers, all of those things help police officers do their job more efficiently and more effectively in our city,” Dyer said.
In August, authorities tracked down 39-year-old Jeffrey Michaels in Monterey County using Flock license plate reader technology. Michaels is accused of killing Fresno mother Tatyana McIntyre.
Community members have also raised concerns.
“There needs to be careful tactics going forward. Honestly, in a perfect world, we wouldn’t have ALPRs. We don’t want mass surveillance,” one community member said.
The city is considering moving forward with another company, but leaders say oversight must be addressed.
City officials plan to discuss automated license plate readers at their next meeting in December.
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