Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor | Possible unintended consequences of license plate readers
It is expected your city council will vote on allowing license plate readers in our community at the March 24 Council meeting.
There are pros and cons to having license plate readers and there are unintended consequences.
- These proposed license plate cameras would read every license plate that passes by 10 locations in Gig Harbor.
- The data collected, owned by Gig Harbor would be stored for 30 days with a 3rd party company in Georgia, who runs a nationwide network of these cameras collecting data.
- Anyone may submit license plate numbers to this company and those license plates can be tracked on this network throughout the U.S.
- The federal government may also submit license plate numbers to be nationally tracked. Prior to 1/20/25 this federal request would be handled legally, through the courts. The Constitution and the rule of law are doubtful these days. “License plate recognition (LPR) systems use cameras and computer hardware and software to capture images of vehicle license plate and to check the information on the plates against databases” Dept of Homeland Security.
Put your loved one in these shoes:
- A woman driving to or through Gig Harbor in search of medical care may be tracked.
- A victim of spousal abuse traveling through or to Gig Harbor may be tracked.
- LGBTQA+ traveling through or to Gig Harbor may be tracked.
- A Person of color traveling through or to Gig Harbor may be tracked.
- A documented or undocumented immigrant traveling through or to Gig Harbor may be tracked.
An individual could file a false report of a stolen car to track someone. Anyone who is filing a false claim with this National company may be prosecuted. Not sure the Federal government would have to give any reason.
There can be some positive results in using this camera.
Submitting license plate numbers can assist in finding stolen cars, silver alerts, Amber alerts and other car identifying potential crimes. Other jurisdictions can ask for help in locating these vehicles.
I do not support innocent people being hunted down.
I do not believe Gig Harbor should be part of anyone “disappearing” or women being prosecuted when returned to their home.
I have spent 7 1/2 years supporting the safety needs of the best police department anywhere. Our Police Department does an amazing job of keeping our community safe. These are not easy answers.
At this time, I am concerned that the potential unintended consequences of these cameras are too great.
Our council meeting is March 24, 5:30pm at the Civic Center. I hope you will come and share your thoughts.
It is an honor to serve you,
Jeni Woock
Gig Harbor City Council