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Sonoma Weighs Privacy Risks of Automated License Plate Readers
Residents raise concerns over mass surveillance and data sharing as city considers ALPR program
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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Sonoma residents are voicing concerns over the city's use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras, which capture license plate data and vehicle details of passing vehicles. While touted as a public safety tool, critics argue the technology poses risks to privacy and civil liberties through persistent tracking and potential data sharing. As the city considers expanding the ALPR program, community members are calling for transparency, oversight, and a balanced approach to protect both public safety and individual rights.
Why it matters
The widespread use of ALPR systems in Sonoma raises concerns about the erosion of privacy and the creation of a 'mosaic' of personal data that can reveal sensitive information about individuals' movements and activities. There are also worries about data sharing with outside agencies and the potential for false positives leading to dangerous encounters with law enforcement.
The details
Sonoma's ALPR cameras photograph passing vehicles, convert license plates into searchable data, and retain time-stamped records of vehicle movements. While touted as a public safety tool, critics argue the technology enables mass surveillance that goes beyond isolated observations in public. There are also concerns about the potential for data sharing beyond approved boundaries, despite state laws restricting such practices.
- Sonoma has had ALPR cameras installed at multiple entry points and arterial roads in and around the city.
- In recent years, several Northern California cities have terminated or paused their ALPR contracts after discovering unauthorized data access or vendor transparency issues.
The players
Wake UP Sonoma
A local advocacy group that is calling for transparency and oversight of Sonoma's ALPR program.
Lisa Storment
The president of Wake UP Sonoma and a member of the group's Inform and Educate Action Team.
Brandon Cutting
The Sonoma Chief of Police, who has defended the ALPR program as a valuable tool for criminal investigations while emphasizing data access controls.
What they’re saying
“We trust our police. We don't trust the company.”
— Fred Keeley, Mayor of Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
“Public safety depends on legitimacy, and surveillance that operates quietly in the background without robust consent and oversight undermines that legitimacy.”
— Lisa Storment, President, Wake UP Sonoma (sonomanews.com)
What’s next
Sonoma residents are encouraged to demand transparency from the city about the ALPR program, including details on camera locations, data collection and retention policies, and agency access. Community members also plan to meet with City Council members and speak at public meetings to voice their concerns and push for a balanced approach that protects both public safety and individual privacy.
The takeaway
As Sonoma considers expanding its ALPR program, the city faces a critical choice between the benefits of the technology and the risks it poses to civil liberties. By prioritizing transparency, oversight, and community input, Sonoma can work to find a solution that addresses public safety needs while upholding the privacy rights of its residents.
