How to Speak at Your City Council Meeting
A step-by-step guide to making your voice heard at local government meetings about ALPR surveillance.
Why Your Voice Matters
City council meetings are where decisions about ALPR surveillance are made. Your participation can make a real difference in protecting privacy rights in your community.
Before the Meeting
1. Research Your City's Process
- Find the meeting schedule on your city's website
- Check if you need to register to speak (some cities require sign-up)
- Know the time limits for public comment (usually 2-5 minutes)
- Review the agenda to see if ALPR is already being discussed
2. Prepare Your Remarks
Keep your comments:
- Brief and focused - stick to 2-3 key points
- Personal - share how surveillance affects you and your family
- Fact-based - cite specific concerns about privacy and costs
- Solutions-oriented - suggest alternatives or policy changes
During the Meeting
Arrive Early
- Get there 15-30 minutes before the meeting starts
- Sign up for public comment if required
- Observe the meeting format
When It's Your Turn
- State your name and address clearly
- Thank the council for their time
- Make your key points concisely
- Request specific action (vote no, demand transparency, etc.)
- Thank them again and sit down
Example Opening
"Good evening, my name is [Name] and I live at [Address] in [City]. Thank you for allowing me to speak. I'm here to voice my concern about the proposed ALPR system..."
After the Meeting
Follow Up
- Send a thank-you email to council members who listened
- Share what happened on social media
- Connect with others who spoke or attended
- Attend future meetings to show continued engagement
Stay Informed
- Monitor when ALPR items come up for vote
- Read meeting minutes and follow-up reports
- Track your representatives' positions on privacy issues
Tips for Success
Do:
- ✅ Be respectful and professional
- ✅ Speak clearly and at a moderate pace
- ✅ Bring written copies of your remarks
- ✅ Bring supporters to show community concern
- ✅ Dress appropriately (business casual recommended)
Don't:
- ❌ Interrupt or argue with council members
- ❌ Use inflammatory language
- ❌ Go over your time limit
- ❌ Read lengthy documents verbatim
- ❌ Make personal attacks
Resources
- ACLU Get The Flock Out toolkit: questions to ask your council and an email template (civil liberties, left-leaning)
- Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition records-request template (nonpartisan)
- CFOIC tip sheet on criminal justice records, which is why plate data can be refused (nonpartisan)
- Open meeting requirements of the Colorado Sunshine Law (Office of Legislative Legal Services)
- alpr.watch: upcoming local meetings where plate readers are on the agenda (community project)
- The Policing Project at NYU Law: surveillance policy library and model regulations (nonpartisan)
- Our full resources page
- View city-specific information
- Frequently asked questions, with sources
Bring one specific, checkable fact about your own city: its retention period, its camera count, or its sharing list. The city pages on this site and the resources page can help you find one.