Mat-Su assembly member proposes borough ban on license plate readers

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough would be barred from buying, installing or operating automated license plate readers under an ordinance headed to the assembly. Nothing in the record names a borough program it would shut down.

Assembly member Michael Bowles of District 1 sponsors it. The ordinance would prohibit acquisition, installation and operation of the readers and what it calls associated mass surveillance technology. It reaches past borough-owned cameras: departments could not query an outside reader network, and no borough funds or staff time could go to a reader-data contract.

Bowles argues it on privacy grounds. The ordinance cites the right to privacy in the U.S. and Alaska constitutions and says the readers create "a permanent tracking record of everyday citizens without reasonable suspicion or a warrant."

At least 30 U.S. localities have deactivated or canceled contracts with reader vendor Flock Safety since the start of 2025.

The assembly introduces the ordinance Sept. 1, which sets a public hearing for Sept. 15.