WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: California is installing a network of 480 high-tech cameras in Oakland and the East Bay to aid law enforcement in identifying vehicles linked to crimes using real-time information and alerts.
April 1, 2024 - OAKLAND — Last Friday, building on public safety investments in Oakland and the East Bay, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has entered into a contract with Flock Safety to install a network of approximately 480 high-tech cameras in the City of Oakland and on state freeways in the East Bay to combat criminal activity and freeway violence. The camera network will use a patented technology that allows law enforcement agencies to identify vehicle attributes beyond license plate numbers, enabling the CHP, the Oakland Police Department, and allied agencies to search for vehicles suspected to be linked to crimes and receive real-time alerts about their movement.
WHAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAID: “This investment marks another step forward in our commitment to bolstering public safety and tackling organized crime and roadway violence in Oakland and across California. With the installation of this 480 high-tech camera network, we’re equipping law enforcement with the tools they need to effectively combat criminal activity and hold perpetrators accountable — building safer, stronger communities for all Californians.”
“Improving public safety and addressing quality of life issues in Oakland is my top priority,” said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “This new camera network will help us stop crime and hold more suspects accountable. On behalf of all Oaklanders, I want to thank the Governor and the California Highway Patrol for their ongoing commitment and investments in the city.”
“Working alongside all our law enforcement partners, the California Highway Patrol is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all Californians,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “These sophisticated cameras will make an important difference — and make the entire East Bay region safer.”
Governor Newsom Announces Flock Cameras in Oakland
The partnership with the city will result in the deployment of approximately 480 crime-fighting cameras. 290 of the cameras are expected to be deployed on and around surface streets in the City of Oakland and 190 cameras will be deployed along state highways in the East Bay. The camera network allows for improved vehicle recognition, enabling law enforcement to search for crime-linked vehicles by vehicle type, make, color, license plate state, missing/covered plates, and other unique features (e.g., bumper stickers, decals, and roof racks). The system also enables real-time crime alerts, alerting authorities when a suspected crime-linked vehicle is spotted by the network.
The cameras will assist law enforcement in addressing crime while protecting privacy interests — improving public safety while balancing privacy protections. The network will employ a limited 28-day retention period, camera footage will not be disclosed to third parties beyond California law enforcement, and the network will be compliant with recent legal bulletins issued by the California Department of Justice to ensure the storage, collection, sharing, and use of the data is consistent with California law.
HOW WE GOT HERE: Today’s announcement builds on Governor Newsom’s efforts to improve public safety in the East Bay, including through a temporary CHP surge operation and increased enforcement focused on combating auto theft, cargo theft, retail crime, violent crime, and high-visibility traffic enforcement, which has resulted in the recent arrests of approximately 200 suspects and recovery of 400 stolen vehicles. In addition to increasing CHP’s presence, last month the Governor also announced a new partnership between the Governor’s Office, the California Department of Justice, the California National Guard, the California Highway Patrol, and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office (ACDAO) that will result in the deployment of attorneys and resources to boost law enforcement capacity to investigate, analyze, and prosecute suspects in violent, property, and serious drug-related crimes.
INVESTING IN OAKLAND: The Governor recently released Caltrans’ 10-Point Action Plan in support of the city’s efforts to improve street safety and beautification. The comprehensive plan outlines actionable steps the state is taking to further support the city through blight abatement efforts, homeless encampment resolutions, community outreach initiatives, employment opportunities, and other beautification and safety efforts. A detailed overview of the state’s investments in Oakland and Alameda County is available here.
FIGHTING CRIME: California has invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to fight crime, help locals hire more police, and improve public safety. Earlier this year, Governor Newsom called for new legislation to expand criminal penalties and bolster police and prosecutorial tools to combat theft and take down professional criminals who profit from smash and grabs, retail theft, and car burglaries. In 2023, as part of California’s Real Public Safety Plan, the Governor announced the largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime in state history, an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety.
Source: Office of the Governor
