San Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Voices Support for ALPR Program Ahead of City Council Vote

Local Business Leaders Urge Council to Continue the ALPR Program

In a letter sent to Council President LaCava and San Diego City Councilmembers, the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce underscored its strong support for the city’s program, emphasizing that “public safety and economic vitality are deeply connected.” The Chamber, which represents hundreds of Hispanic small business owners, highlighted how rising crime impacts their members: “When crime rises, businesses suffer, customers stay away, and jobs are lost.” 

ALPR Technology Already Delivering Results

The Chamber noted that San Diego’s ALPR program has already demonstrated clear public safety value, pointing to real outcomes such as helping officers “stop an attempted child abduction, locate a missing elderly resident, and reduce citywide auto thefts by 20 percent.” These results, they wrote, “make neighborhoods safer for families and small businesses alike.” 

By the Numbers: The Impact of ALPR Technology in San Diego

San Diego’s use of ALPR technology has contributed to measurable improvements in public safety citywide. Recent data shows:

• Violent crime clearance rates increased from 35.9% to 47.0% — an 11-point gain.
  
  
• Property crime clearance rates rose 40.7%, increasing from 5.4% to 7.6%.
  
  
• Vehicle theft clearance rates improved 35.4%, rising from 4.8% to 6.5%.
  
  
• Average monthly crime has also declined, with ~37 fewer violent crimes, ~427 fewer property crimes, and ~144 fewer vehicle thefts reported citywide.

Community Trust Protected Through Responsible Use

Just as importantly, the Chamber affirmed that the program is implemented responsibly—with privacy protections built in. The technology, they explained, is “used only for legitimate public safety purposes, ensuring community trust while keeping residents secure.” 

Chamber Calls on Council to Sustain a Proven Public Safety Tool

Their message to City Council is clear: continue investing in effective tools that keep San Diego’s Hispanic residents and businesses safe. “We urge you to continue funding and supporting this effective, balanced tool that keeps San Diego’s streets, businesses, and families safe,” wrote Chamber President Josie Flores-Clark. 

Business leaders across San Diego agree: the city’s ALPR program is delivering meaningful safety results and helping strengthen the economic well-being of the communities they serve. Read the full letter here.