San Leandro approves use of 41 surveillance cameras on city streets
Big development in DAs race: IE in support of Pamela Price is seeded with $50,000
CITY NEWS
SAN LEANDRO
—SAY CHEESE—A widespread perception that crime is rising in San Leandro and a uniquely bare bones proposal by its police department led to approval on Monday night for the purchase and installation of 41 surveillance cameras on city streets. The San Leandro City Council unanimously approved the request by Police Abdul Pridgen. There was little opposition from councilmember and members of the public.
—Over the past decade, several East Bay cities exploring surveillance cameras have typically met robust conversations over privacy, cost, access, and the length of data retention. San Leandro Police’s proposal, however, was the significantly scaled down. A feature that likely led to its quick approval, only a month after being first proposed to the council.
—Despite the rather large number of cameras, which is an anomaly among nearby cities, the narrow 15-day retention period for video captured by the surveillance cameras is short, and also an anomaly.
—“After 15 days, the information is deleted. It no longer exists. It doesn’t mean just with San Leandro. Whoever we have a relationship with,” Pridgen said. That includes the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center that privacy experts have long distrusted for its history of sharing data with state and federal agencies. “That’s pretty forward-leaning for a retention policy,” Pridgen added.
—The cost is also relatively cheap, at $250,000 for the set of cameras and servicing over the next two years. As part of the policy, random audits will be administered by an outside group and those misusing the cameras and its data will be punished, Pridgen said. “We take this system very seriously. If the privileges are abused, there will be consequences.”
—Monday night’s approval is a major victory for Pridgen, who took over the police department last fall. In addition, Pridgen deftly use the public’s rising anxiety over crime in San Leandro to his advantage. He also understood that San Leandro is in the midst of an election year in which two councilmembers are seeking the open mayor’s seat in November. In addition, another councilmember is up for re-election. And to top it off, Pridgen put together a proposal that was palatable to everyone.
MORE IN THIS ISSUE: ‘Dro City Employees Get a Raise | City Manager Breaks Up with Alameda | IE Joins DA Race, Big Endorsement Announced | Bonta-Ful Campaign Haul | Moneyball | Datebook |
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