Oakland, the bustling Californian city known for its eclectic mix of cultures and distinct neighborhoods, has been plunged into an advanced new era of law enforcement. The announcement came from none other than California Governor Gavin Newsom this past Friday: hundreds of next-level surveillance cameras will soon keep watch over the city’s streets and adjoining highways.
The California Highway Patrol has inked a deal with Flock Safety, a renowned technology firm specializing in state-of-the-art surveillance systems. Flock Safety has been tasked with the installation of 480 cameras, each one bearing the capability to identify and track vehicles through their license plates, types, color, and even their decals and bumper stickers. The new electronic eyes will give authorities real-time notifications for suspect vehicles, supporting their relentless struggle against crime, according to Governor Newsom’s news release.
This potentially game-changing technology has not been accepted without controversy. Critiques have been quick to warn of potential privacy infringements, with anxiety mounting that these tools could be used to exacerbate the police mistreatment previously experienced by marginalized communities.
Governor Newsom, who has been relentless in his drive to provide Oakland with additional resources to battle against escalating crime rates, confidently asserted that this sophisticated surveillance network would provide indispensable tools for law enforcement. In turn, these tools will aid in the quest to bring criminals to justice, fostering safer, stronger communities for all Californians.
Across the entire state, there is growing alarm regarding public safety, and retail theft appears to be the catalyst for leaders from even the most liberal Democratic cities to advocate for boosted policing. Even so, Oakland seems to bear an oversized share of this crime burden, despite the trend of decreasing crime rates in other major Californian localities.
Evidence of this siege of crime in Oakland is evident with the closing of the city’s only In-N-Out Burger joint, marking its first closure in a 75-year span. This drastic decision follows a series of car break-ins, property damage, burglaries, and thefts.
Last Thursday, executives at four of Oakland’s largest employers announced a collaborative $10 million security program designed to buttress public safety and protect their workforce. The companies uniting in this effort are Blue Shield of California, Clorox, Kaiser Permanente, and Pacific Gas & Electric.
Despite the enthusiasm of some sectors, not everyone is on board. Cat Brooks, the executive director of the Anti Police-Terror Project and a previous contender for the Oakland mayoral office, argued that the money is being funneled into unreliable technology and hesitate that it is being placed in low-income neighborhoods under the guise of public safety.
Governor Newsom addressed concerns regarding potential misuse by setting forth clear guidelines for the system. Camera footage will be stored for 28 days only and will not be shared beyond California law enforcement agencies. As Oakland steps into this uncharted territory of advanced surveillance, only time will show whether this wave of technology will serve as a bulwark or a burden for the city.
