If Lowell is your home, this is your place

My guiding principle has always been, if you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear! Councilor Robinson’s op-ed on Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) brings a lot of common sense to a highly controversial topic. While critics frequently raise privacy concerns, the reality of this technology is simple. Because this system is strictly regulated and audited, law-abiding citizens have nothing to worry about. As the Councilor mentioned, all data is automatically erased on a rolling 30-day basis unless it is part of an active crime investigation. Also, as Councilor Robinson observed firsthand, these systems do not photograph drivers or passengers, they basically just read license plates to cross-reference them with very serious crimes, not law-abiding citizens going about their daily business and routines. Law enforcement and police professionals need these modern tools to keep Lowell safe, most especially in these very challenging times. While completing understanding and respecting citizens’ valid concerns, we must not prevent the police from using an efficient, audited system that protects hardworking taxpayers and citizens, and holds criminals accountable. Driving on a public street, road, or highway means you are already in the public eye, so there should be no expectations of total privacy, especially in this day and age of Ring cameras and cell phones. The reality is, we already live in a world surrounded by cameras, but these specific tools only read license plates, not the faces of operators or passengers. And in all honesty, do you all really believe the honest and professional police officers will risk their jobs and livelihood snooping on innocent people?