1. a) How are police departments across the country tracking drivers?
b) During what time frame has this system rapidly grown?
c) How are these programs funded?

2. a) What are civil liberties?
b) Why are civil liberties advocates opposed to this license plate tracking system?

3. Why has California resident Michael Robertson gone to court to gain access to his own files?

4. Under what reasoning did both a San Diego judge deny Mr. Robertson’s request and a Superior Court judge deny a request from the ACLU and EFF for records? (both requests were made under California’s open records law)

5. For what reasons do government and law enforcement officials say the data collection is needed?

6. Mr. Robertson said, “I want a strong police force. But I also want my personal freedom.”
a) Can we have both? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent the same question.

7. a) Should citizens be willing to give up all expectation of privacy:

• in the name of safety?
• to allow police to more quickly catch criminals?
• to keep us safe from terrorists?

b) Will these efforts better ensure the safety of all citizens? Discuss these questions with a parent.