Governor Newsom announces 480 new high-tech cameras installed in Oakland and along East Bay freeways to improve public safety

(Oakland) Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to install 480 new high-tech cameras, which would aid in identifying vehicles through reading the license plate numbers, in the City of Oakland and along the East Bay freeways to combat crimes.

Newsom made the announcement on March 29 that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has entered into a contract with Flock Safety to install a network of approximately 480 high-tech cameras in Oakland and on state freeways in the East Bay to combat criminal activity and freeway violence.

Due to the rising violent crimes in Oakland in recent years, Oakland Chinatown leader Carl Chan joining other Oakland community leaders met with Newsom early this year in Sacramento in demanding more support and resources from the state for public safety.

Newsom first announced in February that he was increasing state law enforcement personnel in Oakland and the East Bay by temporarily deploying 120 CHP officers to the area.

The CHP officers would work in partnership with local law enforcement agencies on a targeted crackdown on criminal activity, including vehicle theft, retail theft, and violent crime.

In March, Newsom released a 10-Point Action Plan in which the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) outlined a comprehensive strategy to support the City of Oakland in improving street safety and beautification.

In addition to the 10-point plan and CHP officers deployment, the latest announcement by Newsom was to install 480 high-tech cameras in which the camera network will use a patented technology that allows law enforcement agencies to identify vehicle attributes beyond license plate numbers, enabling the CHP, the Oakland Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies to search for vehicles suspected to be linked to crimes and receive real-time alerts about their movement.

“This investment marks another step forward in our commitment to bolstering public safety and tackling organized crime and roadway violence in Oakland and across California," Newsom said. "With the installation of this 480 high-tech camera network, we're equipping law enforcement with the tools they need to effectively combat criminal activity and hold perpetrators accountable — building safer, stronger communities for all Californians.”

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao welcomed the plan to install advanced technology cameras in Oakland. “Improving public safety and addressing quality of life issues in Oakland is my top priority," said Thao. "This new camera network will help us stop crime and hold more suspects accountable. On behalf of all Oaklanders, I want to thank the Governor and the California Highway Patrol for their ongoing commitment and investments in the city.”

According to Newsom, among approximately 480 crime-fighting cameras, 290 are expected to be deployed on and around surface streets in the City of Oakland and 190 cameras will be deployed along state highways in the East Bay under the CHP Oakland Office jurisdiction.

The camera network would allow for improved vehicle recognition, enabling law enforcement to search for crime-linked vehicles by vehicle type, make, color, license plate state, missing/covered plates, and other unique features including bumper stickers, decals, and roof racks. The system also enables real-time crime alerts, alerting authorities when a suspected crime-linked vehicle is spotted by the network.