By now hopefully you’ve heard we’re supporting a bill sponsored by Senator Damon that will ban Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in our state. When we first started working on the issue, I have to admit I wasn’t that alarmed. Really, how much do I understand about technology like that anyway?

As we prepare to testify at the public hearing on the bill (Friday, 1pm, Transportation Committee at the State House), I have become much more resolute in my opposition to the technology. And I’m not just determined. I’m very alarmed.

The reality of the bill hit me when I drove to the South Portland mall last weekend. When I remembered that a cruiser equipped with the camera could be driving past me in South Portland, I did a quick double take to make sure I had an updated inspection sticker, my insurance cards and updated registration in the glove compartment.  When I parked my car in the parking lot, I wondered if a photograph would be taken of my vehicle parked there.

As I walked around the mall, I got more and more angry that I was worrying about these things at all. My car is registered. My insurance is up to date. I have a current inspection sticker. An afternoon of shopping hardly constitutes illegal activity. Why on earth should I be subjected to such surveillance while going about my daily life?

I thought of the times I go to Family Planning Association offices in South Portland, the various stores I frequent, the synagogue I attend from time to time and was suddenly furious that anyone would have knowledge of these visits I make. What need does the South Portland police department have to monitor my travels?

You might hear South Portland claim that the sort of things I’m worried about won’t happen, and this technology will only be used to catch criminals guilty of really egregious crimes.  When surveillance is used, it is inevitably abused. Take a look at what other police departments and chiefs have said that currently use the technology:

"It also has a GPS built into it and it will give us a location and a map of Grand Forks where that vehicle was last located."
- Lt. Roger Pohlman, Grand Forks, ND

"Think about how you want to mine your data. There's a lot of potential for this.  For example, if you have access to all the data, you can map where the plates were seen."
- Sgt. Chris Morgan, Long Beach CA Police Department

“To search for the man's possible criminal associates, detectives could easily check the list of license plates on vehicles that passed before and after the man's vehicle.”  - Article on Officer David McCallister, Arizona

These quotes from law enforcement say to me that law enforcement using the technology understand its potential for complete surveillance, that data can be stored and later used to create a map of my whereabouts, and monitor anyone that may or may not be traveling with me, or link me to other criminals that I happen to be driving near.

This flies directly in the face of my right to be left alone by my government.

If you’re as alarmed as I am, there are a few things you can do to take action.

• Click here to email your legislator and let them know you want to ban these cameras in Maine.
• Join us on Tuesday, February 9^th at 9am in the Welcome Center at the State House in Augusta to participate in the MCLU State House Day of Action. Learn how to lobby legislators and then connect with your elected officials. RSVP to Katy Jayne at kjayne@mclu.org.