QuickTake:

The city previously denied a records request seeking the locations of license-plate reader cameras, citing a state law allowing the withholding of records relating to security measures. The lawsuit points out that other cities in Oregon, including Springfield, have released information about camera locations.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon filed a lawsuit Monday, Oct. 20, asking a judge to order the city of Eugene to release records showing the locations of 57 pole-mounted Flock Safety license-plate reader cameras.

The organization filed the lawsuit in Lane County Circuit Court on behalf of Eugene resident Seth May, a member of Eyes Off Eugene. Eyes Off Eugene is a citizens’ group formed this year to oppose the technology, citing privacy concerns and worries that data captured by the cameras could be used to target vulnerable groups.

Police in Eugene have credited the cameras, first installed in May, with assisting in the capture of suspects wanted in violent crimes and helping to find missing persons, as well as in recovering stolen vehicles.

The Eugene City Council voted unanimously Oct. 8 to pause use of the cameras. The council plans a future meeting to discuss the technology.

Eugene police have said they placed cameras on major streets and roads leading into and out of the city. Police said they tried to avoid residential areas, while also considering locations where cameras can support businesses affected by organized retail theft.

In July, a police spokesperson said specific locations would not be disclosed because of the potential for criminal mischief. Last week, a police spokesperson said there have been six occurrences of vandalism, most recently in mid-July.

The lawsuit states the city wrongly denied a previous record request for the camera locations and that the Lane County District Attorney denied an appeal. Other cities in Oregon, including Springfield, have disclosed camera locations, the lawsuit states.

The city of Eugene pointed to a state law, ORS 192.345 (23), that allows the withholding of records revealing security measures, according to the lawsuit.

Unless “the public interest requires disclosure in the particular instance,” the law allows records to be withheld “that would reveal or otherwise identify security measures, or weaknesses or potential weaknesses in security measures, taken or recommended to be taken to protect” buildings or property.

But in the court document, the ACLU of Oregon calls the disclosure of camera locations “essential for public oversight of surveillance technology.” It asks for records disclosing “the total number of Flock devices and their intersection or block-level locations,” and also asks  a judge to declare that “there is a strong public interest” in the records.

The ACLU of Oregon is being assisted with the lawsuit by Visible Law, based in Portland, and LeDuc Montgomery LLC, based in Battle Creek, Washington.