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…