Mayor London N. Breed will introduce legislation to allow the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) to use Automated License Plate Readers (ALRP) to address public safety issues in San Francisco.
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Mayor Breed has asked Board President Aaron Peskin to expedite the legislation, which he has agreed to do, so it can be approved in a few weeks, instead of the months it would normally take.
“Public safety requires us to be nimble and quick to adapt to use new technologies,†said Mayor London Breed.
“These license plate readers can play a critical role in disrupting retail theft, car break ins, sideshows, and other criminal activity.
"But our current laws inhibit, rather than support, the expansion of public safety tools like license plate readers. We must do everything we can to get these cameras deployed as quickly as possible. There is no reason for delay.â€
"Installing a network of automated license plate readers will be a game-changer for San Francisco. The SFPD will be able to more easily identify vehicles and suspects wanted in some of our most pervasive and challenging serial crimes, like retail theft, auto burglaries, vehicle theft and catalytic converter theft to name just a few," said Police Chief Bill Scott.
"These cameras will also help our officers be more precise in the vehicles they pull over, which will reduce unnecessary stops, and assist in our ongoing efforts to build trust with the communities we serve."
However, to install these new cameras, there is a need for legislative changes due to the nature of how San Francisco governs the uses of technologies as set by a policy passed by the Board of Supervisors.
Any time a City Department wants to use a new technology or, in this case, finds a need to adjust the technical parameters of that technology, it must seek legislative approval.
For example, in this case, SFPD needs legislative approval to change what kind of video files are used and what kind of vendor can service the license plate readers.
As this technology has already been approved for its current use, Mayor Breed asked President Peskin to waive the normal 30-day hold period where ordinances must sit before any action is taken.
With that waiver granted, a first legislative hearing can happen as soon as on Monday and be heard at the full Board of Supervisors soon after. SFPD can then begin acquiring and installing these cameras.
If it had not been granted, it’s likely that the legislation will not be before the full Board of Supervisors until next year. ■