Capitola Police looking to install license plate reader cameras

CAPITOLA, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON MARCH 26, 2024 AT 10:00 AM- The City of Capitola could soon have ten automated license plate readers cameras.

People around the area say it's an important tool to help stop crime.

"If it means that there's less stores being broken into or less vehicles being broken into, or less vehicles being vandalized, that'll be a good thing." said Collen Beeson, who lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Capitola Police Chief Andrew Dally said if approved, police would have a two-year lease agreement with the company Flock Safety.

Dally says it is an important technology tool.

"It captures all the vehicles that come in," said Dally. "What that does, if someone were to commit a crime, the officer can go back and review that information, they have to have a specific reason to be looking at stuff, so, they have to be an active criminal investigation."

Dally said the Flock cameras would alert police officers.

"It alerts the officer of maybe something that is going on and the officer will then decide if it's a stolen vehicle, they'll either look into it more or if they're in a different call, they'll carry one," said Dally. "It's a really tool for the investigative piece after the fact."

Capitola Police said they won't monitor the cameras and they won’t be on a live feed. The video would rather be archived.

Dally told KION that the cameras would not have facial recognition.

Capitola Police said if passed, there's ten identified locations throughout the city where they plan to install the cameras

ORIGINAL STORY

On Thursday, the Capitola City Council will be discussing on potentially having license plate readers installed throughout the city.

According to a city report, Capitola Police are looking to install 10 license plate reader cameras throughout the city.

The report said officers use public or private security systems to gather evidence for different criminal investigations.

Capitola Police Chief Andrew Daily said that other agencies throughout the state have had success using the cameras.

If approved, the funding will covered by the California's Law Enforcement Services Fund.

The meeting takes place on Thursday night at 6 p.m.