South San Francisco police leverage AI

“What separates this application from the systems we already have in place is that … it will now consolidate this information from multiple databases and sources into one platform, thus reducing the time and effort needed to conduct investigations and increasing the chances of solving crime,” Pinell said.

Many criminal justice advocates have been wary of not just the use of AI to solve crime but also surveillance technology such as automated license plate readers. While there are state and federal security laws in place, there have also been numerous instances of data breaches as well.

At least 10 ALPR data sharing violations occurred across several Bay Area cities and counties, including Contra Costa and Santa Clara-based agencies. In 2021, Marin County Sheriff Robert Doyle was sued after findings surfaced that his agency was providing ALPR data to hundreds of federal and out-state agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

Pinell said the system only provides information that the agencies already have access to, and they don’t share data with federal agencies, including ICE.

“C3 AI does not use generative AI, facial recognition, predict crime, access private social media, control emergency response systems, obtain unauthorized data or conduct surveillance,” he said. “Only authorized personnel will have access to the shared data for investigative purposes. The system is audited and adheres to federal and state security standards. Our agency retains full control of our data and can restrict access data as needed.”

Funding for the AI application is part of a roughly $15 million grant the county received from the state in 2023, in large part to curb organized retail theft, which had been on the rise both county and statewide.

The City Council unanimously approved the agreement to participate.