Why El Cajon Is Standing Up to California’s Attorney General

California Attorney General Rob Bonta was elected to uphold the law, not to rewrite it to fit a political agenda. Yet when it comes to cities sharing data to fight and prevent crime, Mr. Bonta has chosen to twist the law for his own political agenda. Bonta’s ideologically driven actions make Californians less safe and restrict law enforcement agencies, including El Cajon’s Police Department.

In a lawsuit brought against El Cajon, the Attorney General, backed by the full weight and resources of the State of California, alleges that the City is violating the law. Allow me to set the record straight on behalf of our community.

El Cajon relies on advanced camera technology that identifies vehicles flagged as stolen, linked to felonies, or related to a missing child or senior. When such a vehicle is detected, the system alerts 911 dispatchers and officers respond in real time. This technology works best when data is shared across trusted jurisdictions. For decades, law enforcement agencies across the United States work in concert to solve crime and arrest criminals, whether it be broadcasting “Be on the Lookout” notices, making phone calls to seek information, or sharing license plate data.

Our Attorney General’s efforts have eroded those long-established relationships and impede investigations when every second counts, including those involving stolen vehicles, violent felonies, missing children, and even human trafficking victims being transported across state lines.

Unfortunately, under pressure from the Attorney General’s office, almost every local government in California has stopped reciprocal data-sharing arrangements with law enforcement agencies outside the state. El Cajon stands alone as the last California city still cooperating in this nationwide safety network. It’s important to note that El Cajon does not share information with federal immigration agencies in order to comply with the law.

Blocking data at the state line prevents California agencies from learning when out-of-state criminals move into our neighborhoods to prey on our residents. As the state’s top law enforcement officer, one would expect the Attorney General to strengthen—not weaken—those connections that help keep our communities safe. When human traffickers, car thieves, or violent offenders cross into California, our law enforcement agencies should have every legal tool to stop them, not barriers erected by our own Attorney General.

Mr. Bonta’s lawsuit erroneously cites that El Cajon violates a provision established in Senate Bill 34. This bill, signed by the Governor in 2015, clearly states that California cities can share data with other public agencies, including law enforcement departments beyond California’s borders.

SB 34 includes a definition of “public agency,” which reads as follows: “Public agency means the state, any city, county, or city and county, or any agency or political subdivision of the state or a city, county, or city and county, including, but not limited to, a law enforcement agency.” Based on that definition, I am not sure how the Attorney General feels El Cajon is in violation.

To make things clear I want to share with you the language of the law. SB 34:

The pertinent portion of SB 34:

(b) A public agency shall not sell, share, or transfer ALPR
information, except to another public agency, and only as otherwise
permitted by law. For purposes of this section, the provision of data
hosting or towing services shall not be considered the sale,
sharing, or transferring of ALPR information.

(f) “Public agency” means the state, any city, county, or city and
county, or any agency or political subdivision of the state or a
city, county, or city and county, including, but not limited to, a
law enforcement agency.

Mr. Bonta justifies his lawsuit with unrelated politically charged talking points—immigration, abortion, and gender-affirming medical procedures—none of which have anything to do with public safety. Even in Bonta’s October 3, 2025 press conference, he admitted there is no evidence supporting his wild claims.

Public safety should never be a partisan issue. It is the most basic responsibility of government. While the Attorney General may prefer headlines over handcuffs, the City of El Cajon will continue focusing on safer streets, fewer stolen cars, protecting victims of human trafficking, returning at-risk youth and missing elderly home, and protecting our police officers and communities.