California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that hundreds of high-tech surveillance cameras are set to be installed in Oakland and surrounding freeways as part of efforts to combat crime.
In a news release, Newsom, a Democrat, revealed that the California Highway Patrol has contracted with Flock Safety to deploy 480 cameras capable of identifying and tracking vehicles based on license plate, type, color, decals, and bumper stickers. These cameras will provide real-time alerts to authorities regarding suspect vehicles.
Despite concerns raised by opponents about privacy infringement and potential police abuse against marginalized communities, Newsom emphasized the importance of this surveillance network in equipping law enforcement to combat criminal activities and hold perpetrators accountable.
Public safety concerns have been on the rise statewide, particularly related to retail theft, prompting even liberal leaders of Democratic cities to support increased policing measures.
While crime rates have declined in other major California cities, Oakland—a city of approximately 400,000 residents across the bay from San Francisco—has experienced a surge in crime, leading to significant impacts such as the closure of In-N-Out Burger’s only restaurant in the city due to car break-ins, property damage, theft, and robberies.
In response to these challenges, CEOs of four major downtown Oakland employers—Blue Shield of California, Clorox, Kaiser Permanente, and Pacific Gas & Electric—recently announced plans for a joint $10 million security program aimed at enhancing public safety and protecting employees.
Critics like Cat Brooks, executive director of the Anti Police-Terror Project and a former Oakland mayoral candidate, expressed concerns about the allocation of funds towards surveillance technology instead of investing in essential resources like housing, education, and healthcare.
The contract with Flock Safety entails a cost of $1.6 million for the initial year and nearly $1.5 million for each subsequent optional year, according to Jaime Coffee, a spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol.
Flock Safety, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, operates in 47 states and 5,000 communities across the country, providing services to schools, cities, neighborhood associations, and law enforcement agencies.
Approximately 300 of the cameras will be positioned on city streets, with the rest deployed along nearby state highways, as detailed in the governor’s statement.
To address privacy concerns, Newsom’s office confirmed that footage from the cameras will be retained for 28 days and will not be shared with third parties beyond California law enforcement.
Earlier this month, San Francisco voters approved a ballot measure supported by Mayor London Breed to grant police access to drones and surveillance cameras.
