The city of San Diego in the U.S. seeks public input on reactivating surveillance technology linked to smart streetlights for police investigations. With a commitment to transparency and public awareness, the city is allowing the community to express their opinions on using 500 smart streetlights that capture images and data for law enforcement purposes.
Additionally, the police department is considering incorporating automated license plate readers to aid investigations. In response to privacy concerns, access to over 3,000 smart streetlights was previously suspended in 2020. The city has since implemented ordinances establishing oversight and a privacy advisory board.
The city’s privacy laws were enacted to inform the public about the locations of smart streetlights and license plate readers, ensuring that individuals are not caught off guard by being captured on camera. The reactivated smart streetlights and the proposed automated license plate readers are intended to aid the San Diego police in felony crime investigations, locating missing at-risk individuals, and responding to critical incidents.
It is important to note that the captured data is not monitored in real-time but accessed after a reported crime. By reinstating bright streetlights, the city aims to balance leveraging technology to enhance law enforcement capabilities while respecting privacy and ensuring public consent.
