City Council: Approve Berkeley PD’s request to use surveillance equipment
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Subject: We need fixed intersection cameras and drones to reduce crime in Berkeley
Dear Berkeley City Council Members,
I am writing to urge you to approve the Surveillance Ordinance items relating to Fixed Surveillance Cameras and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) proposed by City Manager Williams-Ridley. As you know, violent crime in Berkeley is currently at its highest level in 10 years, and the police department continues to be severely understaffed, lacking at least 30 officers at last count. It is therefore of vital importance that we equip law enforcement with the electronic equipment it needs to ensure public safety.
A significant portion of the crime happening in Berkeley is committed by criminals entering from surrounding communities, and as a result Berkeley is often described as a "victim-rich community." Fixed intersection cameras and drone technology will help the police identify criminals entering Berkeley and bring them to justice.
Criminals are acting in an increasingly brazen manner in Berkeley, and it's because they know we lack the officers and technologies to bring them to justice.
Consider these incidents from the last few months alone:
In March, a group of ten UC Berkeley students was robbed at gunpoint in the busy Fourth Street shopping area.
In April a group of thieves calmly unloaded goods from a delivery truck in front of Cedar Market. This happened in broad daylight as motorists drove by, as the thieves were indifferent to the risk of getting caught.
That same month, an 82-year old woman was robbed by two young men while she was simply standing in front of her house.
Around the same time, a man out walking his dog suddenly found himself held up at gunpoint because he happened to stumble upon thieves stealing a catalytic converter.
And let's not forget how a woman was brutally attacked this month during a violent robbery in South Berkeley, sustaining injuries which sent her to the hospital.
What do all of these crimes have in common?
Every one of these criminals got away with it.
And it is likely that at least some of them will continue to conduct further criminal acts in Berkeley in the future. As a city beset with rising crime, we simply must do better to protect our citizens.
Surrounding communities like Oakland already use technologies like intersection cameras, license plate scanners, and drones, but Berkeley has put significant restrictions in place, which makes it difficult for law enforcement to get the tools it needs to fight crime.
The Police Accountability Board (PAB) has already provided feedback on the acquisition and use policies in January and February of this year. In addition, the Police Department solicited further feedback in March and April. Despite this collaboration, the PAB decided not to support the Police Department’s surveillance usage policy, mischaracterizing BPD as simply wishing to acquire drones.
In fact, the surveillance policy describes how the Police Department can request the City Manager’s approval for drone use– an important distinction, since this keeps the City Manager firmly in control of all uses of drone technology.
The City Manager and Police Department have done an outstanding job ensuring that such technologies will be used in an appropriate manner which balances the need for public safety while making sure surveillance will be conducted in a legal and ethical manner which upholds constitutional standards of privacy.
I urge you to approve the Surveillance Ordinance items relating to Fixed Surveillance Cameras and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) proposed by City Manager Williams-Ridley.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]