Oakland Public Safety Committee deadlocks 2-2 on proposed OPD surveillance expansion - Local News Matters

The Oakland City Council's Public Safety Committee failed to pass a $2. 25 million proposal aimed at expanding the police department's surveillance camera network, resulting in a 2-2 deadlock. Councilmembers Ken Houston and Charlene Wang supported the motion, while Carroll Fife and Rowena Brown opposed it. The proposal has sparked debate, with supporters claiming it will improve public safety and critics warning of privacy violations and potential misuse by federal agencies. Key components of the proposal include automated license plate readers, new pan-tilt-zoom cameras, integration of private camera feeds, and a cloud-based data system.

The Privacy Advisory Commission previously voted against the proposal due to privacy concerns, prompting two resignations from its members. The police department reported a decrease in carjackings and homicides since the installation of existing surveillance cameras, citing a drop in carjackings from 40 to 24 per month. Activists remain concerned about the implications of data consolidation and access by federal agencies. The proposal is expected to be reintroduced at next month's City Council meeting, likely with amendments to address these concerns.