Seen is fine. Remembered is different.

A speed camera checks one moment: your speed against the posted limit. In California, the law says a photo that leads to no notice must be destroyed within five business days. You may not like it, but it is done with you once you pass.

A plate reader is different. It keeps the plate with the time and the place, for each car that passes. Not because you did anything. Because you drove by.

Being seen on a public street is part of life. Being remembered, day after day, is new. Many people say it feels like something was taken, and they cannot quite say what.

We are not against the cameras, or the people who use them. Some have found stolen cars and missing people. A fair question still stands: what does each one keep, who runs it, and who can look?

We believe you should be able to answer that for your own neighborhood.

Speed, red light and traffic cameras get the plain facts: where, the status, the posted limit and the next date.

Every number has a source and a date. We never claim to have them all. If you spot a camera we missed, you can report it.