BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
Palo Alto City Council voted tonight (April 3) to put up 20 cameras that would automatically read license plates and alert police officers when a stolen car is detected.
The cameras would go along major thoroughfares and near shopping areas, Capt. James Reifschneider said.
They would help deter crimes that are often committed by traveling crews in stolen cars, such as catalytic converter thefts, he said.
Council members had some concerns about protecting innocent people and who would have access to their data.
“The vast majority that you’re collecting is innocent people just going about their business,” Councilwoman Vicki Veenker said.
Mayor Lydia Kou wanted to ensure that an innocent person wouldn’t get ripped out of a car, even if it was stolen.
Reifschneider said officers would stop any stolen car, no matter who is driving, but they will respond differently depending on whether the driver matches a suspect’s description.
Councilwoman Julie Lythcott-Haims asked what percentage of crimes the cameras could solve, and Reifschneider said that was an impossible question to answer.
Councilman Pat Burt asked how many stolen cars have been recovered in other cities with license plate-reading cameras, and Reifschneider said that data wasn’t available.
Most residents and business owners were in favor of the technology, citing examples of property crimes.
Todd Burke, the president of the Palo Alto Central Homeowners’ Association, told council that his apartment complex by California Avenue has been struck by thieves five times in the past week, including twice in one morning.
“We’ve seen a fairly ridiculous increase in property crimes,” Burke said. “Thank god they’re not violent — yet.”
If a neighborhood is experiencing a crime wave, then the cameras could be moved to that area, Reifschneider said.
Councilvoted unanimously to sign a three-year, $174,000 contract with Flock Safety for the cameras and the software that will provide police with alerts.
The Policy and Services Committee, which is made up of three council members, will talk about if the use of technology should also be reviewed by a city auditor, a police auditor or someone else.
Long overdue.
I am sure it will reduce the crimes in our neighbors. As a Palo Alto resident, I strongly support this.
I hope the data will not be stored on innocent vehicle. The location of vhiclkes and the time should be protected data.
I hope the data will not be stored on innocent vehicles. The location of vehicles and the capture time should be protected data.
A year ago, council was in favor of encrypting police scanners so people couldn’t monitor police calls. Now they’re unanimously in favor of cameras to allow the police to monitor the public’s activities.
They got the business tax passed. They’ve got a $40 million surplus. So where are the additional cops?