Car-tracking technology is becoming ubiquitous in cities around the United States, and the types of data collected and analyzed with the help of license-plate readers is expanding into other realms of personal information.

Not surprisingly, this technology is already in place and actively collecting our license-plate data. Our local police department, without notice and any transparency, has been scanning our license plate data and sharing that data with the state of California. This is accomplished through the national Fusion Center located in Sacramento. The information is subsequently shared with the Department of Homeland Insecurity, Fear and Misinformation.

What are our elected “leaders” thinking when they agree to this type of personal privacy and civil liberties violations? Are we suffering from a high crime rates as compared with the FBI 2013 National Crime Report?

The more important question is: why are we tolerating this unwarranted intrusion into our privacy and civil liberties and allowing our elected “leaders” to do so? Especially when the facts on local crime don’t bare out the need for such state/police practices and draconian measures.

Click here to read the Center for Investigative Reporting story: "Plans to expand scope of license-plate readers alarm privacy advocates."