Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS / AFP / Getty Images
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to enhance oversight of data collected by automated license plate readers (ALPRs) used by the Sheriff's Department. This move aims to limit federal immigration officials' access to data that tracks where people drive.
The motion, introduced by Supervisor Hilda Solis, strengthens existing laws that already prohibit local law enforcement from sharing license plate data with federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without a warrant. The new policy mandates that data cannot be shared with immigration officials unless expressly required by law or if a warrant is obtained. The decision comes amid heightened deportations and concerns about privacy violations.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Sheriff's Department currently operates 366 fixed and 89 mobile license plate readers. These devices collect data on millions of vehicles, which is used to find stolen vehicles, crime suspects, or missing persons. However, the department stated it does not share this data with any federal agency without a lawful purpose.
Despite these assurances, concerns remain about unauthorized data sharing. A report from CalMatters revealed that law enforcement agencies in Southern California, including the LAPD, have violated state law by sharing ALPR data with federal agencies over 100 times in a single month.
The new oversight measure requires the Sheriff's Department to report any data requests to the Office of Inspector General and the Civilian Oversight Commission. Dave Maass from the Electronic Frontier Foundation noted that having independent oversight is crucial to ensure compliance with the law.
While the motion passed with majority support, Supervisor Kathryn Barger voted against it, citing concerns over a related bill that limits data retention to 60 days. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between privacy concerns and law enforcement practices in Los Angeles County.