Tucson council renews police vehicle-theft task force, adds reporting on license plate reader use

TUCSON — The Tucson City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 20, unanimously renewed the Tucson Police Department's participation in a statewide vehicle theft task force but added a condition: police must report back at six and 12 months on how the program uses automated license plate reader data. Council Member Miranda Schubert, who proposed the condition, said the task force agreement and a separate one covering federal ballistics data-sharing both raised questions about surveillance and information-sharing with federal agencies.

Mayor Regina Romero presided. Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz was absent and excused. Council Member Nikki Lee participated remotely through Microsoft Teams.

Vehicle theft task force

The intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Department of Public Safety continues Tucson police participation in the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force. Schubert said the program uses statewide and national databases and automated license plate reader tools to recover stolen vehicles.

She said vehicle theft can damage residents' jobs, insurance premiums and finances. But she said that when the city accepts funds requiring tracking, data-sharing or surveillance technology, officials must weigh misuse, civil liberties and the "potential for federal overreach that could conflict with our values here in the Tucson community."

Schubert's motion required the department to report:

the number of cases supported by license plate reader searches;
the number of license plate reader queries by task force staff, the patrol division and investigative units;
hotspots of vehicle theft and of recoveries;
any complaints to TPD's independent police auditor related to the program.

Before seconding, Romero asked whether such reporting already existed. The city manager called six- and 12-month reports "very reasonable." He said staff would need to review which specific data could be shared.

Romero said the council had discussed concerns at an earlier study session that data could be shared with federal agencies that would "weaponize that information." She said she understood those concerns but wanted to avoid adding duties that would pull police from their daily work. City Attorney Roi Lusk confirmed with Schubert that the request covered only the task force program.

Council Member Paul Cunningham asked whether releasing the data could jeopardize investigations. An assistant police chief said aggregate statistics should not compromise any specific case, and police would tell the council if they did.

Council Member Selina Barajas asked about hotspot mapping. The assistant chief said police already track auto thefts and recoveries citywide, while a sergeant tracks figures specific to the task force.

Lee asked whether the reports could be delivered as off-agenda memos rather than as discussion items twice a year. The city manager said that would be staff's preference.

Ballistics data-sharing agreement

The council also voted 6-0 to approve an updated memorandum of understanding between Tucson police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The agreement covers the department's participation in the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN.

Schubert questioned a provision authorizing the police chief to sign additional agreements "necessary or desirable" to carry out the program. She asked whether such an agreement could expand data-sharing to ICE, Homeland Security, the FBI or Border Patrol. The city attorney said it could not, "because that's not part of the NIBIN program."

The city attorney said the program contains no information on firearm owners or registrations. He said it is limited to images of ballistic evidence and to test fires of firearms that were illegally possessed, used in a crime or suspected of use in a crime. He said license plate reader data and audio surveillance such as ShotSpotter could not be used under the agreement.

Liquor license reversal for former tortilla factory

The council reversed its Aug. 5 recommendation to deny a Series 12 liquor license for Tortillas Chiwas at 914 N. Grande Ave. in Ward 1. It now recommends approval to the state. Both the motion to reconsider and the motion to approve passed on voice votes with no opposition.

The interim city clerk said the application was denied in August because the business lacked some required approvals. She said it has since resolved those problems and obtained an extension from the state.

Romero said the business occupies a historic West Side building that formerly housed the Grande Tortilla Factory. She said Santa Cruz, whose ward includes the site, wanted the license approved.

Housing Authority actions

Sitting earlier as the Tucson Public Housing Authority board, members voted 7-0 to adopt fiscal 2027 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The board also discussed access to the Housing and Community Development main office on North Commerce Park Loop. Commissioner Hawkins said residents had raised concerns about reaching the office. A department official said fixed-route Sun Tran service there has ended.

A transit administrator said residents can instead use free Sun On Demand curb-to-curb service. Rides must be booked one to seven days in advance by phone at (520) 798-1000 or through the app to guarantee a pickup.

Public comment

During call to the audience, two residents urged the council to cancel existing contracts and bar future ones with companies building or supporting the border wall. They named several Tucson-area contractors.

A resident who described himself as a 100% disabled veteran said his building's air conditioning had been out 44 days. He also described unrenewed leases and other problems with the property manager. Romero said housing staff would follow up with him.

Another resident said police failed to respond to her calls about break-ins and open-air drug use. She urged the council to charge bus fares.

A resident said Planning and Development Services had refused for nearly two months to issue a zoning determination she requested. She said the department has not enforced regulatory provisions of area plans for at least 10 years. Romero said the city manager would follow up.

A dark-skies advocate said Tucson's light pollution rose 9.5% last year while population grew 0.7%. He called the city's lighting codes outdated and said their enforcement is understaffed.

Also discussed:

The consent agenda passed 6-0. It created the 22nd Street Improvement Project (I-10 to Kino Parkway) Citizens' Corridor Planning Task Force and approved a Victims' Rights Program grant agreement with the Arizona Attorney General's Office. It also approved telecommunications leases at Joaquin Murrieta Park and La Mar Park and an amendment to the city's AHCCCS State Opioid Response grant agreement.
The council forwarded 31 liquor applications to the state with approval recommendations: two new licenses, one transfer, eight special events and 20 acquisition-of-control filings for Walgreens stores.
The city manager said the Tucson Youth Climate Action Fund has doubled to $100,000 through a matching investment from the Arizona Community Foundation. Grants of $1,000 to $5,000 are open to people ages 15 to 24, and the application deadline was extended to Oct. 30.
Romero said the city will close Congress Street for the first time on Halloween, Oct. 31, from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Schubert said the Planning and Development Services survey on shelter zoning was extended to Sunday, Oct. 25, with community meetings and public hearings expected in early 2027. She also reported three traffic deaths since the council's last meeting.
The next regular meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 4.

This report was drafted by Claude Opus 5.5 from a live transcript produced by Deepgram Nova-2, then reviewed and edited by Nicholas De Leon with Claude Opus 5.5, and published at 8:06 PM MST on October 20, 2026. Read more about how this is made.