Many Stand by Man Accused of Damaging License Plate Readers

Supporters Rally for Air Force Engineer Accused of Camera Destruction

Hundreds have turned out to support Jeffrey Thorburn, a U.S. Air Force engineer charged with damaging over a dozen surveillance cameras in Virginia. Thorburn allegedly stated that the use of these cameras was “unconstitutional.”

Specifically, he faces multiple charges: 13 counts of criminal damage, six counts of petty theft, and six counts related to possessing burglary tools, all linked to the destruction of a license plate camera, according to various news reports.

Interestingly, these same surveillance cameras contributed to his arrest, as noted by police.

During his court appearance in Norfolk District Court last June, cameras were also present in the courtroom.

To help cover his legal expenses, Thorburn set up a GoFundMe page aiming to raise $8,500. However, by Sunday, he had exceeded that goal significantly, amassing over $22,000 from more than 600 contributors, with most donations being modest amounts between $5 and $50.

“My name is Jeff and I respect your privacy,” he expressed on the fundraising page. “I value everyone’s right to privacy as laid out in the Fourth Amendment. As local media have started to cover my legal issues, I humbly welcome support from the community.”

Automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) are marketed as tools for public safety, employing imaging technology to capture and store license plate data. They can also document details about vehicles, such as make, model, color, and even noticeable damage or bumper stickers.

While law enforcement believes these cameras can aid in identifying criminals, not everyone shares that view, including Thorburn.

As highlighted in Yahoo News coverage, many citizens view these ALPRs as invasive technologies disguised as crime prevention tools. There’s growing concern about privacy and the potential entanglement of innocent people in legal issues. The rising prominence of these devices has sparked political debates at local levels, igniting public outcry and activism against surveillance policies.

In fact, some privacy advocates, armed with unconventional tools like spray paint and chainsaws, are actively taking measures to counteract the intrusion of these surveillance systems in their neighborhoods.

According to Norfolk’s WAVY-TV, the cost for setting up an ALPR—including the camera, pole, and solar panel—is about $1,500.

Ironically, it was these same traffic cameras that facilitated Thorburn’s arrest.

After his October arrest, he initiated the fundraiser in December, urging supporters to pressure local authorities to discontinue such surveillance systems.

In a June 26 update following a preliminary hearing, Thorburn expressed gratitude: “Thank you to everyone who showed support this week! We have seen a significant increase in awareness regarding this system and this case. Please continue to protect your privacy and challenge the data infrastructure that diminishes our lives.”

In a related ruling earlier this year, a federal court determined that Norfolk’s implementation of these cameras is constitutional, asserting that they “do not record intimate aspects of individuals’ lives and therefore don’t pose constitutional issues.”