California is preparing to install a network of 480 high-tech cameras in Oakland and the East San Francisco Bay area to help law enforcement identify vehicles linked to crimes using real-time information and alerts.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has entered a contract with Flock Safety to install the network of cameras to combat criminal activity and freeway violence.
“This investment marks another step forward in our commitment to bolstering public safety and tackling organized crime and roadway violence in Oakland and across California,” Gov. Newsom said in a statement.
The high-tech cameras will use a patented technology that allows law enforcement agencies to identify vehicle attributes beyond license plate numbers. That will enable the CHP, the Oakland Police Department, as well as allied agencies to search for vehicles suspected to be linked to crimes and receive real-time alerts about their movement.
“With the installation of this 480 high-tech camera network, we’re equipping law enforcement with the tools they need to effectively combat criminal activity and hold perpetrators accountable — building safer, stronger communities for all Californians,” the governor said.
According to the governor’s office, 290 of the cameras are expected to be deployed on and around surface streets in the City of Oakland and 190 cameras will be deployed along state highways in the East Bay area.
“The network will employ a limited 28-day retention period, camera footage will not be disclosed to third parties beyond California law enforcement, and the network will be compliant with recent legal bulletins issued by the California Department of Justice to ensure the storage, collection, sharing, and use of the data is consistent with California law,” the governor’s office stated.
