How San Diego is Using Tech to Keep People Safe and Respect Privacy
San Diego has found a smart way to use technology to keep its residents safe. By working together, law enforcement, neighborhoods, and businesses have made a big difference. They use something called Flock License Plate Readers, or LPRs, to solve crimes. These devices have helped solve 600 criminal cases, find missing kids, and recover stolen property worth $5.8 million. In fact, last year, 11 homicides were solved with the help of these readers, and four of those cases wouldn't have been solved without them.
Crime Rates Are Dropping
Crime rates are going down too. There are about 37 fewer violent crimes reported each month, and car thefts have dropped by 20%. These aren't just numbers; they represent real lives being protected and communities staying safe.
The Role of Technology in Public Safety
But here's the thing: not everyone is talking about the good that this technology is doing. The main job of the government is to keep people safe, and to do that, they need modern tools.
What Are License Plate Readers?
Well, they take pictures of cars and license plates that are visible in public. The data is automatically deleted after a short time, usually 30 days. Every use is logged, so there's a permanent record of how the data is being used.
This technology is designed to help with investigations in a focused and accountable way. Cynthia Adams, president of the Oakland NAACP, says that these cameras are meant to detect only vehicles linked to crimes. This removes the need for subjective judgments that can lead to unfair stops and interactions with Black and Brown residents. It's a clear example of how technology can support safer and fairer policing.
Public Safety as a Team Effort
Public safety is a team effort. The key is to work together without compromising trust and autonomy. To do this, there need to be clear agreements about how the data is accessed and used. The city, county, or business that signs the contract should decide who can access the data, for what purpose, and for how long. In California, state law bars federal access to local license plate reader data. Other communities have set even stricter rules. These choices come with tradeoffs, but they should be made by the local community.
San Diego's Leadership in Technology Use
The San Diego Police Department has been a leader in setting clear guidelines for using this technology. They have directly influenced the development of new compliance and privacy-focused tools. For example, federal agencies cannot access California license plate reader data through the Flock platform. There are also search filters in place to prevent certain types of searches, like those related to immigration enforcement and reproductive health care. Soon, every search will require a specific offense type, making the process more transparent and accountable.
Technology and Principles
Technology keeps changing, but the principles guiding its use should stay strong. The goal is to protect people, support first responders, and uphold constitutional rights. It's about making conscious tradeoffs together, not living in a world without them.
