San Diego Police Install Smart Streetlights Surveillance Cameras in Hillcrest – NBC 7 San Diego

San Diego police announced Sunday that they will install streetlights equipped with surveillance cameras and automatic license plate readers in Hillcrest and other locations in advance of the Pride festival.

The San Diego Police Department and the companies it contracts believe these cameras, called “Smart Streetlights,” can help law enforcement deter, investigate and hold criminal activity accountable.

The move is intended to “protect against hate crimes and attacks at mass gatherings” at the popular LGBTQ+ community center, the SDPD said in a statement.

John Brodie, a Hillcrest resident who lives a few blocks from one of the newly installed streetlights, said he was uncomfortable with the idea of ​​a device monitoring public places he frequently visits 24 hours a day.

“My privacy is violated to a certain extent by these cameras. True. So I have nothing to hide. But that doesn’t mean you can just watch me. I find that inappropriate.”

“How do you determine where you’re going to place them? Right. I mean, why was that a good crossing?” Brodie said.

SDPD signed a five-year contract with Ubicquia Inc. for 500 Smart Streetlight cameras paired with Flock Safety’s ALPR technology.

According to a city government report, the devices have helped solve nearly 120 investigations and seize more than $1 million worth of property since they were installed in December 2023.

Last year, the San Diego City Council voted to reinstate smart streetlights after a backlash from the community that led then-Mayor Kevin Faulconer to cancel the program, prompting multiple reports from NBC 7 Investigates.

Community members such as the Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology San Diego Coalition (TRUST SD) questioned the police department’s lack of transparency in the use of the 3,200 cameras that were first installed across the city in 2016.

This led to the establishment of a Data Protection Advisory Board.

“This committee advises the city council on how the city can safely use these types of technologies,” said a TRUST SD spokesperson.

According to a surveillance effectiveness report submitted to the City of San Diego by the San Diego Police Department, the cameras do not use facial recognition and are only used when there is an investigative need. It also notes that the locations are selected based on violent crime statistics and input from investigative units, patrol commanders, community and council members.

Others, on the other hand, are not bothered by the presence of the devices at all.

“If it helps the police make our streets safer, I don’t see a problem with it. I have nothing to hide, so if I’m filmed across the street or walking in a car, it doesn’t affect me at all,” another Hillcrest resident told NBC 7.

In a statement to NBC 7, Ike Anyanetu, chair of the San Diego Privacy Advisory Board, said the streetlight usage guidelines and impact report were non-compliant.

“We do not have a clear, exhaustive list of possible uses, a description of the devices, information about the security of the service, and we do not know the AI ​​capabilities of the technologies,” the statement said.

On Monday, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. at Rich’s Club to explain the reasons for installing the streetlights at this location.

Hillcrest has recently been the target of hate attacks, with SDPD investigating at least four incidents at LGBTQ-friendly businesses, including Rich’s Club, where San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Monday to explain the reasons for installing the streetlights at that location.