"We have a responsibility to ensure the technology we use to support our police department are held to the same high standard as our officers. I applaud (Police Chief Paul Joseph) for putting forward safeguards that ensure we can continue to leverage this technology responsibly and for its intended purpose - keeping San Joseans safe."
"Tuesday's vote has set up a showdown between the technology's critics - who warn it can be used to track law-abiding residents and target immigrants - and its supporters, who argue the cameras, first introduced in 2022, have become an invaluable investigative tool for San Jose's chronically short-staffed police force."
San Jose's City Council is considering reforms to its license plate reader program operated by Flock Safety, which has faced mounting public pressure and legal challenges over surveillance concerns. The proposed measures include reducing data retention from one year to 30 days, prohibiting camera placement near abortion clinics and places of worship, and requiring stricter access controls for partner law enforcement agencies. While police officials and Mayor Matt Mahan support the reforms as adequate safeguards, critics argue they fall short and demand the city completely sever ties with Flock Safety, citing risks of tracking law-abiding residents and targeting immigrants. Supporters maintain the cameras, introduced in 2022, provide essential investigative capabilities for the understaffed police department.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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