California sues El Cajon over license plate reader data sharing

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The state of California is now suing the City of El Cajon.

Attorney General Rob Bonta says the police department is using license plate readers to share information with out of state agencies. Because of that, he says rights are being violated as that information could help federal agents track immigrants.

The mayor of EL Cajon says that is simply not true.

"We've had multiple conversations with El Cajon and they are stubbornly refusing to comply with the law," AG Bonta said.

Strong accusations from the attorney general against the City of El Cajon, implying that the mayor and police department are violating the constitutional rights of citizens by sharing data collected by automated license plate readers (ALPRs).

"When information leaves California, we no longer have a say over whether it will be misused, whether that's for immigration enforcement, surveillance of protesters, tracking individuals traveling here for reproductive care or gender affirming care," said AG Bonta.

Bonta says El Cajon is disobeying Senate Bill 34, which was passed in 2015 by the state legislature.

He says that law ensures any data collected from automated license plate readers is protected and can't be shared with federal or out of state law enforcement agencies.

"We cannot allow state or local law enforcement to become tools for enforcement practices that violate Californian's rights. Take for example earlier this year, a Texas sergeant investigated a woman seeking an abortion and utilized ALPR data to search for her. This search included cameras in states where abortion is fully legal."

The California Department of Justice has now filed this lawsuit against El Cajon, asking a judge to force the city to comply with Senate Bill 34.

Mayor Wells says that his officers aren't breaking any laws because it is common for law enforcement to share data with outside agencies while investigating crimes that may cross over state lines.

"We've looked at the law very closely. It absolutely says nothing about sharing information with outside agencies outside of California," Wells said.

The attorney general says El Cajon is the only city in California that is not complying with the law.

When asked if the city has been sharing information with federal agencies when it comes to immigration, Mayor Wells answered, "No, that would be against the law. We don't violate the law."

El Cajon began using license plate readers in 2023, and Bonta says the city has been violating the law for more than a year.