Troubling revelation

The recent revelation that license plate reader (ALPR) data from Illinois communities was improperly accessed by out-of-state law enforcement in abortion-related and immigration investigations is deeply troubling. Data collected by Flock Safety, including from nearby Mount Prospect, was accessed without consent by Texas agencies — despite clear state laws prohibiting such use.

This should concern all of us.

These surveillance tools were introduced with the promise of enhancing public safety — but without strong, enforceable safeguards, they pose serious risks. Illinois law explicitly prohibits the use of ALPR data for tracking individuals seeking reproductive care or for immigration enforcement. Yet, that is exactly what happened.

This is more than a breach of data — it’s a violation of trust.

As a woman, a daughter of immigrants and a mother raising children in this community, I am horrified that data collected on Illinois roads could be used by states with laws that criminalize our rights and threaten our families. If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere.

We must demand transparency, stronger oversight, and policies that put resident privacy first. The safety and dignity of our community depend on it.

Carina H. Santa Maria

Arlington Heights