The ALPR program was approved on March 11, 2025, with the required amendments to the Motorola contract per the December 23, 2024, Board of County Commissioners’ (BOCC) meeting. Commissioner Eberlein voted first, voting NO, stating that he was against the ALPR. Commissioner Duncan, who had expressed concerns about the ALPR during this several month-long process, had an opportunity to defeat this warrantless surveillance but instead she voted YES. Commissioner Mattare voted YES for a 2 to 1 vote by our elected officials to roll in more surveillance under the guise of this being for our safety. During this process of BOCC meetings and town halls by Commissioner Duncan and Sheriff Norris, mainly held over the holiday season, residents still came out filling these venues with an overwhelming percentage of residents in opposition to this purposed warrantless surveillance. Yet two of our commissioners completely disregarded the residents’ concerns and objections. There was a total of 79 emails received by BOCC in opposition to the ALPR surveillance program and eight emails in support of the ALPR. The Motorola contract is for one year with a reevaluation clause to decline renewal if a case fails to be made to justify the ALPR success. Will our commissioners once again fail the residents of Kootenai County or will Commissioners Duncan and Mattare do the right thing during the renewal process? Stay tuned.
Please contact your mayor, city council members and county commissioners and tell them to be proactive and adopt a strong Telecommunications Ordinance like Dalton Gardens’ Ordinance that asserts rights under federal law that can override state law.
Sincerely, JEN |
