EL CAJON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The City of El Cajon is being sued by the State of California over its police department sharing information obtained with license plate readers with out-of-state agencies.

State Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the lawsuit at a press conference on Friday, implying that the mayor and police department are violating the constitutional rights of citizens by sharing data collected by automated license plate readers, also known as ALPRs.

“Frankly, I was a little stunned. Our office had had some discussions with the state about this, but there was no indication there was going to be a press conference or even a lawsuit,” Wells commented.

Bonta argues that the city of El Cajon and the mayor are violating the law established by Senate Bill 34, which was passed by the state legislature in 2015.

“There’s no indication that what he is saying is true,” argues Wells.

The mayor went on to say they have roughly 100 cameras in place. He gave examples of the positives that law enforcement has seen from implementing the cameras and how they have helped them in several situations.

“It’s a political game and people’s lives are on the line,” said Wells.

From here, El Cajon’s mayor says that the city council will look at the lawsuit and decide whether or not to fight it.