Leaders in San Juan Capistrano are looking to add license plate reader cameras to crack down on parking violations downtown — at a time when the surveillance technology is facing increasing scrutiny in Orange County and nationwide.
The San Juan Capistrano City Council voted 4-1 during a meeting earlier this month to move forward with the technology as a part of a broader downtown parking program. Councilmember Sergio Farias voted no.
Mounted on parking enforcement vehicles, the cameras would scan license plates to determine whether vehicles are complying with parking time limits, paid parking requirements and employee permit restrictions, according to city plans…