Kanitra Erupts During Heated Clash Over NJ “Privacy Protection Act”

Our Take

Credit to ARC All Access for capturing the kind of exchange that rarely makes it past a committee room: Assemblyman Paul Kanitra pushing back hard during a hearing on New Jersey's proposed Privacy Protection Act. Whatever the exact substance of the clash, the fact that ALPR and surveillance policy is generating raised voices in Trenton is a good sign. These bills usually die quietly in committee, buried under law enforcement lobbying and vague promises that the technology only catches 'bad guys.' A real fight means someone in that room is paying attention to what's actually at stake.

New Jersey has been one of the more aggressive states for Flock camera deployment, and like everywhere else, the data shows these systems scoop up the travel patterns of everyone who drives past them, not just suspects. A privacy protection bill worth the name needs teeth: audit trails, data retention limits, bans on warrantless access, and real penalties for misuse. Legislative theater is easy; binding restrictions are hard. Residents should watch whether this bill gets watered down between committee and floor vote, because that's usually where the actual protections get stripped out.

If you want to see how many of these cameras are already watching New Jersey roads, check our camera map, and if you want to push your own representatives on bills like this one, our take-action page has the tools to get started.