a complete and thorough audit is conducted by the City Auditor in consultation with the Independent Police Auditor (IPA);
- The City Auditor must define audit requirements and methodology in consultation with the Independent Police Auditor (IPA), and with the community in public forums that offer opportunities for meaningful and collaborative public engagement; - Unauthorized uses, access, and disclosure must be clearly defined by the City Manager and City Attorney, with provisions for civil and criminal penalties for the officers and the ability for any victims to sue for damages as a result of technology abuse.
Without a thorough audit of the SJPD’s ALPR system that will detail its gaps and flaws, the City Council cannot reasonably implement effective protections and policies. We must refuse to continue using the mass surveillance system until and unless the Council, the City Auditor, the IPA, and the SJPD truly understand the problems. At every juncture, community organizations and community members must have the ability to provide input and feedback.
According to the publicly disclosed timeline, this public reporting of the abuse of Flock ALPR data happened just a few months after the SJPD Chief assured the council and the public the system was 100% secure and that adequate safeguards were implemented that would prevent a flagrant violation like this from happening. Additionally, Chief Joseph indicated, “The impact of these cameras for our public safety efforts is unquestioned,” and he also recognized, “...the concern that many in our community have regarding the safety, reliability and trustworthiness of these cameras.” This contradiction makes it clear that the SJPD cannot be trusted to police itself on the use of this AI-driven ALPR technology, which in and of itself is a tool of mass surveillance and a violation of our Fourth Amendment rights.
This type of abuse is completely unacceptable. Mass surveillance does not keep us safe. It endangers our community, especially the most vulnerable. To rebuild public trust, I implore you to include these demands and bring real accountability to SJPD. Protect the people of San José and surrounding communities from any further misuse. Cover the cameras until a complete audit can be done.
Please protect our community!
Mary Buysse
Mary Buysse
Los Altos, California 94022
10/1/26, 9:37 AM Mail - Rules and Open Government Committee Agendas - Outlook https://outlook.cloud.microsoft/mail/[email protected]/inbox/id/AAQkADhhYzk3NTk1LTBmZDAtNDc4Yi1hN2Q0LTZjNmZjNTk5M… 2/3
a complete and thorough audit is conducted by the City Auditor in consultation with the Independent Police Auditor (IPA);
- The City Auditor must define audit requirements and methodology in consultation with the Independent Police Auditor (IPA), and with the community in public forums that offer opportunities for meaningful and collaborative public engagement; - Unauthorized uses, access, and disclosure must be clearly defined by the City Manager and City Attorney, with provisions for civil and criminal penalties for the officers and the ability for any victims to sue for damages as a result of technology abuse.
Without a thorough audit of the SJPD’s ALPR system that will detail its gaps and flaws, the City Council cannot reasonably implement effective protections and policies. We must refuse to continue using the mass surveillance system until and unless the Council, the City Auditor, the IPA, and the SJPD truly understand the problems. At every juncture, community organizations and community members must have the ability to provide input and feedback.
According to the publicly disclosed timeline, this public reporting of the abuse of Flock ALPR data happened just a few months after the SJPD Chief assured the council and the public the system was 100% secure and that adequate safeguards were implemented that would prevent a flagrant violation like this from happening. Additionally, Chief Joseph indicated, “The impact of these cameras for our public safety efforts is unquestioned,” and he also recognized, “...the concern that many in our community have regarding the safety, reliability and trustworthiness of these cameras.” This contradiction makes it clear that the SJPD cannot be trusted to police itself on the use of this AI-driven ALPR technology, which in and of itself is a tool of mass surveillance and a violation of our Fourth Amendment rights.
This type of abuse is completely unacceptable. Mass surveillance does not keep us safe. It endangers our community, especially the most vulnerable. To rebuild public trust, I implore you to include these demands and bring real accountability to SJPD. Protect the people of San José and surrounding communities from any further misuse. Cover the cameras until a complete audit can be done.
Thank you,
Joshua Williams
Saratoga, California 95070
10/1/26, 9:37 AM Mail - Rules and Open Government Committee Agendas - Outlook https://outlook.cloud.microsoft/mail/[email protected]/inbox/id/AAQkADhhYzk3NTk1LTBmZDAtNDc4Yi1hN2Q0LTZjNmZjNTk5M… 2/3