Gloria says ending ALPR use would harm public safety
Todd GloriaMayor of San Diego
Gloria defends San Diego's use of license-plate readers, citing their role in investigations and the city's oversight rules. He separately acknowledges concerns about Flock as a vendor.
“Taking this proven tool away from our officers would be a serious mistake and a step backward for public safety”
Analysis
Where this statement fits
Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
Networked automated license-plate readers record passing vehicles and let agencies search or share travel records across locations. Candidates and officials disagree over whether to prohibit these networks, keep them with legal limits, or defend their use for investigations. This tracker records attributable positions on that choice, including proposals that would affect only public funding or data access.
Source and context
Analysis
About this source
Michael Smolens reports Gloria's defense of ALPR technology and the mayor's distinction between the technology and its current vendor.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Gloria issues the statement after a council committee votes on Wednesday, October 21, to recommend that the full council halt the city's ALPR use.
After the quotation
His office says it is preparing for possible contract cancellation while continuing to support the technology.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is retaining networked license-plate surveillance. Gloria expressly defends the technology and criticizes removing it.
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Read the full caseJacob Burnett says Flock-style cameras should be done away with, with warrants required if they stay
“The systems themselves can be modified to prevent nearly all abuse and be made more secure by requiring warrants for access or follow through on any data the systems collect and have all data stored on the hardware itself preventing viewing from remote locations, requiring strict login credentials and a connecting warrant number to access. These are common sense changes that if the systems are to be used I feel could correct a lot of abuse or privacy concerns but I also feel the systems should be done away with overall, especially in the realm of predictive crime analytics.”Read statement
Dean Brewer, an independent candidate for Tennessee governor, says Flock cameras should be banned
“I believe flock cameras should be banned.”Read statement
Buddy Carter says license plate cameras help investigators but need privacy safeguards
“Technologies like license plate recognition cameras can provide valuable investigative tools, but they have also raised important questions about privacy and government oversight. As these systems become more common, it is important to balance public safety with appropriate safeguards that protect individual privacy.”Read statement
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- Gloria says ending ALPR use would harm public safety
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The Dispute Index. "Gloria says ending ALPR use would harm public safety". First published: 2026-10-27. Last updated: 2026-10-27. https://disputeindex.com/events/6900-gloria-defends-san-diego-s-use-of-license