The governor underscored that footage from the cameras would be deleted after 28 days and would not be shared with third parties, and that CHP would continue complying with a state order prohibiting automated license plate reader data from being shared with other states that could use the information to track people seeking or providing abortions.
The cameras will come from Flock Safety, a company based in Atlanta, that makes and sells security systems and surveillance cameras to public agencies and private neighborhood watch groups.
The company was awarded the contract through a non-competitive bid in the amount of just over $1.6 million for the first year and nearly $1.5 million for each of the two optional one-year extensions, according to CHP spokesperson Jaime Coffee. The funding comes from the governor’s approved 2022-2023 budget, she said.
Officials did not disclose the exact locations of where the cameras will be installed.
“The CHP has been working in partnership with the city of Oakland throughout the process, to purchase, place, and install cameras,” Coffee said in an email.
While concern about crime has risen in and around Oakland, the announcement was also criticized by groups and residents about how the surveillance data would be used.
“For every dollar we spend on surveillance cameras, that’s a dollar not spent on proven public safety strategies,” said Cat Brooks, executive director of the Anti Police-Terror Project, in a statement about the new cameras. She also noted that the cameras will most likely be installed in low-income neighborhoods, where residents of color will be disproportionately impacted.
The announcement comes as Oakland struggles to stem a surge in violent crime and follows several previous safety interventions initiated by Newsom’s office. According to the police department’s end-of-year data (PDF), violent crime increased by 21% in 2023, compared to the previous year — with the number of homicides plateauing at 120 — while robberies climbed 38% and vehicle theft went up 45%.
“This is building on efforts we made just a few weeks ago,” Newsom said, referring to his announcement last month to deploy 120 CHP officers in a short-term “surge” operation to crack down on theft and violent crime. His office also sent a handful of state prosecutors to assist the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office in prosecuting the mounting number of cases resulting from the uptick in arrests.
Newsom said the surge had already led to 200 arrests and 400 recovered vehicles.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao earlier this month also announced that an increased law enforcement presence along the beleaguered Hegenberger corridor leading to Oakland International Airport had already resulted in a noticeable drop in crime in that area.
Notably, Newsom chose to make his Friday video announcement from that same street.
