Press Release: Chico City Council Meeting Aug 18, 2026 - Call for Public Forum on Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) Surveillance and Violations

Date:         August 11, 2026

Contact:    Concerned Community for Justice (CC4J)    cc4jchico@gmail.com

Media Advisory

CC4J invites the community to join us in addressing Chico Police Department's negligence in allowing ICE and Border Patrol to access its Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) data -- in apparent violation of California laws SB 34 and SB 54 which restrict sharing information with federal agencies, and in violation of our community's expectation that Chico Police not cooperate with ICE in any unlawful way.

CC4J asks the community to stand up for Chico and against the warrantless mass surveillance that ALPRs facilitate. We ask that community members attend and speak up at our upcoming Chico City Council meeting, August 18. CC4J members will request that Council direct the Chico Police Department to cancel the ALPR contract with Motorola, effectively discontinuing use of this technology which lacks the guardrails to keep us safe (especially if we are part of immigrant or other vulnerable communities) and threatens our First Amendment rights, and the right to privacy. From Council we will request a robust cost/benefit analysis of the ALPRs. We will ask for Council - facilitated opportunities for further public engagement, which should include, at the minimum, in the near future, a public forum on the subject of mass warrantless surveillance. 

The negligence manifested in Chico Police Department's illegal data sharing with ICE and Border Patrol might be the wake-up call that Chico City Council needs to establish an oversight board for police accountability. We invite the community to join the call.

Where: Chico City Council Chambers, E. Fourth St. and Main

When: Tuesday, August 18, 6 pm   

What: Chico City Council Meeting