San Diego Police Department (SDPD) will hold a series of community meetings, including one on March 10 at 11:00 AM at La Jolla Recreation Center, designed to inform the public and gather feedback on a proposal to use Smart Streetlight and Automated License Plate Recognition technologies to investigate and solve crimes. The meetings are in accordance with the City of San Diego’s Surveillance Ordinance that was passed in 2022, which details the requirements that every City department must adhere to for each technology that meets the criteria for surveillance.

SDPD uses various technologies to conduct investigations, enhance response to critical incidents and public threats, and safeguard the lives of community members that must comply with the ordinance. One of the first proposals that the department will be brought before the new Privacy Advisory Board established under the ordinance will be for Smart Streetlight and Automated License Plate Recognition technologies. Smart Streetlights, equipped with video cameras, have previously been used within the City of San Diego, however, were turned off in 2020 following requests for further definition of how they can be used.

The meetings will consist of a presentation outlining the capabilities of the two technologies and their use
by the department including access, data storage and retention, the release of video collected, and more.
There will also be time for community input and questions.

The following meetings are already scheduled. Any updates or changes to the meetings will be posted on
the SDPD website.

DATE TIME LOCATION ADDRESS
Friday, March 10, 2023  | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. San Diego, CA 92037

Those interested in joining the meetings are encouraged to review the presentation, use policies and other supporting materials on SDPD’s Technology webpage. Attendees should arrive early as space is limited.

In addition to the public meetings, SDPD, through its contract with Zencity, conducted a digital survey of trust and safety concerns related to Smart Streetlights and License Plate Recognition technology used by police. The results of that survey are posted in the supporting materials on the SDPD website.  If you are unable to attend the meetings in person, a recording of the presentation will be posted to the SDPD website later. You can also provide your input on the technologies through the department’s public comment portal.

Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, March 10.