Could Gun Violence Be Curbed By License Plate Readers?

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Beach Flats residents and men of color were targeted disproportionately in the 19 shootings that took place in Santa Cruz last year, and Chief Andy Mills thinks installing license plate readers could help quell the violence in the short-term future.

Mills held a meeting Tuesday night to address how surveillance technology could be used to stop gun violence targeting Latinos. The meetings come as the Santa Cruz City Council considers an ordinance that would increase oversight of police facial recognition technology.

The police department has suggested that the proposed ordinance be amended to say the council is not currently convinced that facial recognition technology protects individual rights and liberties, but the city could use such technology if the council changes its mind.

The ordinance noted concerns about racial biasesin surveillance technology.

The ordinance aims to create safeguards before surveillance technology is implemented by police and ensure the public knows how the technology could be used.

Read more on the city's proposal to regulate surveillance technology here. Read more from Mills here.

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