Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) have been one of the San Diego Police Department’s most valuable crime fighting tools, helping solve kidnappings, shootings, hit-and-runs, car thefts, and hate crimes. Since my administration initiated the program in December 2023, ALPRs have:  
 

• Led to over 420 arrests; 

• Supported 600 criminal investigations; 

• Recovered over $5.8 million in stolen property; 

• Recovered over 440 stolen vehicles;
   

In 2024, ALPR aided in one-third of all homicide investigations, including six arrests, and four of those cases would not have been solvable without ALPR. Also, motor vehicle theft dropped 20 percent, and that trend has continued in 2025. 

SDPD continues to face a persistent staffing shortage, and ALPR serves as a force multiplier that helps our city do more with the resources we have. The system supports precision policing by alerting officers only when a vehicle is linked to a crime, reducing unnecessary stops and allowing officers to focus their time where it’s needed most.

As part of the Annual Surveillance Report process under the Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology (TRUST) Ordinance and as directed by the City Council during the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, continued use of ALPRs is contingent on approvals of the Annual Surveillance Report at several key upcoming public meetings:  
 

• Privacy Advisory Board | November 5 @ 5:30 PM 

• Public Safety Committee | November 12 @ 2:00 PM 

• City Council | Early December, TBD  
   

As your Mayor, public safety has been, and will continue to be, my top priority. Maintaining this critical crime fighting tool is paramount to ensuring San Diego continues to remain one of America’s safest big cities.