Dear Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent revelation that the Menlo Park Police Department inadvertently allowed out-of-state agencies, including the Houston and Sauk Village Police Departments, to access our automated license plate reader (ALPR) data. This breach of state law not only undermines our commitment to privacy but also jeopardizes our status as a sanctuary city .
As a community that values the safety and dignity of all residents, it is imperative that we take immediate and transparent action to address this issue. I respectfully request the following steps:
1.
Immediate Audit and Transparency: Conduct a comprehensive audit to determine the extent of the data shared, identify any affected individuals, and publicly disclose the findings.
2.
Enhanced Oversight and Accountability: Review and strengthen existing data-sharing agreements to ensure they align with state laws and our sanctuary city policies.
3.
Community Engagement: Hold a public forum to discuss these findings, gather community input, and outline corrective measures.
4.
Policy Revisions: Update our data-sharing policies to explicitly prohibit sharing information with out-of-state agencies without prior consent and ensure compliance with all relevant laws.
I trust that the City Council will take swift and decisive action to rectify this situation and uphold our communitys values.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
Sincerely,
Eduardo L. Hernandez
Menlo Park Resident for 25 Years and Counting
