“What is Surveillance Technology?”

Surveillance technology means any software, electronic device, system utilizing an electronic device or similar used, designed, or primarily intended to collect, retain, process, or share audio, electronic, visual, location, thermal, olfactory or similar information specifically associated with, or capable of being associated with, any individual or group by a city department. Examples of surveillance technology include, but are not limited to, the following: cell site simulators (Stingrays); automatic license plate readers; gunshot detectors (ShotSpotter); facial recognition software; gait analysis software; video cameras that record audio or video and can transmit or be remotely accessed. It also includes software designed to monitor social media services or forecast criminal activity or criminality and biometric identification hardware or software.

What is the purpose of the City of Davis Surveillance Technology Ordinance?

The purpose and intent of the Surveillance Technology Ordinance is to impose safeguards to protect civil liberties and civil rights before any surveillance technology is deployed. Any decision to use surveillance technology must be balanced with the need to: investigate and prevent crimes; protect crime victims and society from those who commit crimes; protect civil rights and civil liberties, including privacy and free expression; and the costs to the city. Proper transparency, oversight and accountability for the acquisition and use of surveillance technology is fundamental to protecting the rights and civil liberties, including privacy and free expression, of all people.

The Municipal Code section that addresses Surveillance Technology Article 26.07 can be found here.

What surveillance technology might the City of Davis employ in law enforcement activities?

• Accurint
• Body-Worn and In-Car Cameras
• Care Track
• Cellebrite
• Covert Personal Recording Device
• Crisis Negotiation Equipment
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robot
• GeoTime
• GPS Trackers
• License Plate Readers
• Public Safety Cameras

More information can be found in the annual reports that the City Council considers when deciding whether to renew the technologies annually.

June 4, 2024

June 20, 2023

June 28, 2022