In the Shadow of ICE, Trust in San Diego Policing Tools Continues to Crumble

August 22, 2025

San Diego's use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) has sparked concerns about potential data sharing with federal immigration authorities, despite California law SB 34 prohibiting such sharing. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) has recently come under scrutiny after a Privacy Advisory Board report revealed compliance issues, including unauthorized access to ALPR data by outside agencies and data sharing with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. While SDPD insists they have no intention of aiding federal immigration enforcement, community members in predominantly Hispanic and immigrant neighborhoods worry about increased surveillance, especially given the current administration's aggressive deportation measures.

Who is affected

Immigrant and Hispanic communities, particularly in District 8 neighborhoods like Barrio Logan and San Ysidro
Black and Brown communities experiencing what critics describe as overpolicing
Working-class residents in areas with high camera placement
Construction workers and union members who report increasing surveillance at work sites
San Diego residents whose tax dollars fund the $5+ million annual surveillance technology budget
Individuals arrested by ICE (1,339 arrests in San Diego County, 72% with no criminal record)

What action is being taken

SDPD is implementing new safeguards and revisions to prevent future unauthorized access to ALPR data
The Privacy Advisory Board is actively monitoring and reporting on SDPD's compliance with surveillance regulations
The city is continuing deployment of 500 surveillance camera units under contracts with Ubicquia Inc. and Flock Safety
Community members and activists are voicing concerns at budget hearings and public safety meetings
SDPD is maintaining ALPR data for 30 days before deletion if not used in an investigation
The department is operating under the Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology (TRUST) ordinance

Why it matters

This issue highlights tensions between law enforcement surveillance tools and community trust, particularly amid intensified federal deportation activities. The unauthorized sharing of ALPR data raises concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and potential racial profiling, especially since District 8 with the highest concentration of cameras has a large Hispanic population. The significant financial investment ($12 million over five years) in surveillance technology represents resources that critics argue could address community needs like housing and libraries. The situation underscores broader questions about how technology deployment impacts already strained relationships between police and marginalized communities.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint