DAVIS, CA (MPG) – Eric Jones, a Democratic candidate for California’s 4th Congressional District, is calling for federal restrictions on law enforcement access to Flock Safety’s license plate surveillance network, including a warrant requirement and limits on how agencies can search vehicle movement data.
Jones released a policy proposal that would regulate private databases that allow law enforcement agencies to search license plate information collected across state lines. He also called for a moratorium on government use of Flock’s network until Congress establishes federal regulations.
“This is about protecting our civil liberties. A camera in your town should not be a search engine in fifty states,” Jones said. “License plate readers help law enforcement solve crimes. Flock’s network does something else: it logs every car in a county and lets agencies two thousand miles away search those records without going to a judge.”
Law enforcement agencies have used license plate readers to identify vehicles in criminal investigations, recover stolen vehicles and locate missing people. Jones said his proposal would allow agencies to continue using the technology while placing limits on access to information collected through broader networks.
According to the Jones campaign, 26 agencies across eight of the nine counties in the 4th Congressional District participate in Flock’s network.
Jones’ proposal would prohibit private companies from creating or selling cross-state databases of civilian vehicle movements. It also would prohibit what the campaign describes as “pattern of life” tracking of people who are not under investigation.
The proposal would require law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before accessing the data. Jones would allow exceptions involving kidnappings, human trafficking, active shooters and credible threats of violence or terrorism.
His plan also calls for federal criminal penalties when law enforcement officers use surveillance systems to stalk civilians. Jones said license plate readers and other investigative tools should remain available to first responders under legal restrictions.
“The Fourth Amendment says the government needs probable cause to search you,” Jones said. “That protection should not disappear because a private company built the surveillance system and sold the government access to it.”
The campaign cited reports of at least 50 law enforcement officers who have been charged with or accused of using surveillance systems to stalk women they knew personally. Jones’ campaign said those cases involve state-level offenses and argued that federal law does not specifically address such misuse.
The campaign also said more than 50 cities nationwide have canceled or discontinued Flock contracts this year and cited Texas’ decision in August to halt state funding for the cameras.
Jones also pointed to legislation passed by the House in May that would create a Department of Homeland Security intelligence hub. According to his campaign, more than 120 civil rights organizations opposed the measure and 59 Democrats voted against it. Rep. Mike Thompson, who represents the 4th Congressional District, voted for the legislation.
“I have two kids. I understand why law enforcement needs tools,” Jones said. “I also understand why the founders put a judge in the room.”
Jones’ full proposal is available at http://ericjones.us/flock