HMB is set to install surveillance cameras

Mayor Joaquin Jimenez, who previously voted against ALPRs, said he was changing his vote based on concerns that with the majority of neighboring cities and unincorporated coastside areas using the technology, Half Moon Bay could become a target for crime without it. 

“I can see the benefit of having implemented a pilot program for our public safety,” Jimenez said. “Other cities — San Mateo, Pacifica — implemented the same program. Half Moon Bay [is the] only community, only city, that will be disconnected, and that could make us a target.” 

The city will be beginning its two-year pilot program entirely through $108,900 in funding from the COPS grant, a federal program for community policing solutions. City Manager Matthew Chidester has been authorized to negotiate that agreement with Flock, that will be providing the services.

Sixteen ALPR units will be installed at six locations across the city — including Main Street and State Route 92; Main Street and Kelly Avenue; Main Street and Highway 1; Highway 1 and Wavecrest Road; Highway 1, along Redondo Beach Road, and the Poplar Beach parking lot exit. 

The technology can be used for authorized law enforcement to respond to emergencies, apprehend people suspected of crimes and identify stolen vehicles and missing people, for example. 

“Often people come to the coast with a plan to harm themselves and those have been resolved through use of ALPRs,” Chidester said. 

But the city also worked extensively to form a use and privacy policy for the plate readers based on recommendations from the American Civil Liberties Union and best practices from other cities.

That policy includes specifying unauthorized uses of the data, which may not be used for personal use, harassment, intimidation, infringing on First Amendment rights or to support immigration enforcement or prosecution of any person exercising their reproductive health care rights, Chidester said. 

Councilmember Debbie Ruddock asked for the specific inclusion of assurances that the ALPR data would not be used to infringe on residents and visitors’ right to assembly. 

“I’m concerned about what we’re doing in this country to protesters,” she said. “Free expression is more than just an individual enjoying free speech, it also applies to groups and it is also related to freedom of assembly.” 

ALPR data also has a 30-day retention period and does not record faces or any personal information. 

Vice Mayor Harvey Rarback was the sole no vote against the readers and said he felt the grant money could have been better used. 

“The 100K we’re getting from the COPS grant could be much better used for public safety things like community safety officers, civilian people that deal with traffic. There’s lots of other better uses of 100K,” he said. “I’m not opposed to implementation, I just think the money could be better spent.”