Santa Cruz police will hold a community meeting Tuesday night to explain their plan to install license plate readers in some Hispanic neighborhoods.
The purpose of the installation, police say, is to help stop a rash of shootings, all involving Hispanic victims
Santa Cruz Police Chief Andy Mills said there have been nine shootings in 12 months and that while no one has been killed, the violence must be stopped.
Police say the deployment will be at fixed locations for a predetermined amount of time. Hispanic neighborhood groups are concerned the license information might be used for immigration enforcement.
Chief Mills said the meeting is intended to reassure residents and address their concerns. He also asks residents to contact police whenever a gunshot is heard.
The community meeting is being held Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at the Nueva Vista Community Center/Beach Flats location at Liebrandt Ave.
