Aaron Rodgers reportedly funded a batch of controversial security cameras in his New Jersey neighborhood amid concerns about his privacy.
Rodgers, 42, donated $37,000 to the township of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, to fund new automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras for its police department in 2024, according to a FOIAball report on Wednesday, August 12.
“We’ve received a generous donation of new ALPR cameras … a very generous donation that the police department is receiving,” the town’s manager said during a city council meeting at the time. “These are very heavily used tools in the law enforcement toolkit, so it’s good to add more to our belt.”
The resolution was approved, which was found to be linked to an LLC based out of Encinitas, California.
According to FOIAball, the manager of that LLC was Rodgers, who at the time was playing for the New York Jets. Rodgers moved to Cedar Grove after being traded to the team in 2023.
In its resolution, Cedar Grove’s city council noted there were “cameras situated in various areas throughout the township.”
The outlet estimated that Rodgers’ donation was enough to purchase roughly 17 new cameras.
The use of ALPR cameras has become controversial in recent years, with critics arguing that they surveil the general public without their consent.
In short, ALPR cameras capture the license plates of every car that passes by, allowing authorities to track individuals without a warrant while using questionable data gathering techniques.
“This is one of just several examples nationwide now of unelected rich people getting to set the levels of surveillance in a community that they are comfortable with,” Matthew Guariglia, a senior policy analyst with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told FOIAball. “They get to take out their checkbook and decide how everyone in that town gets to live.”
Rodgers signed a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in June 2025 after two disastrous seasons with the Jets.
Us reached out to Rodgers, via the Steelers, for comment.
In December 2024, Rodgers expressed concern about “drones” that he alleged were infiltrating New Jersey.
“Do you know what’s been going on in Jersey lately? And I’m not talking about the football, not talking about the football. There’s been some crazy things going on. There is [sic] some drones in the sky,” Rodgers said during an appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have responded after quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ went on a lengthy rant against Dr. Anthony Fauci on ESPN. “Discussions around culture and politics can bring differing perspectives, and our players are entitled to their own personal views,” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten told WTAE-TV. “With respect to that, I am certain there are a […]
Rodgers added, “There is [sic] other videos that I’ve seen, and I’ve talked to some friends of mine that are police officers … There’s some interesting things going on. Interesting things with the drones. I don’t know what’s going on with them. Maybe it’s just some kids messing around, maybe not though.”
In a separate interview with McAfee, 39, in March of this year, Rodgers claimed he had “legitimate stalkers” and was forced to move out of his Malibu home.
“I don’t say that lightly or flippantly,” Rodgers said. “I’ve been getting stalked at my house for about a year and a half when I was living there.”
He added, “I understand the attention that comes with somebody that’s accomplished what I’ve accomplished, so in no way am I making this a ‘woe is me.’ But when it comes to your personal safety, it’s not just me, it’s me and [my wife, Brittani], and it’s really f***ing bizarre.”
