RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — Neighborhood associations receiving public money for automated license plate recognition cameras would have to certify that they comply with California privacy laws under proposed changes to Rancho Palos Verdes' security camera reimbursement program.
But while the city would continue helping finance the privately operated surveillance systems, it would not review their privacy policies or monitor the information collected by the cameras, leaving responsibility for compliance with the neighborhoods themselves.
The proposed revisions, outlined in a City Council staff report, are scheduled for consideration Wednesday, Nov. 4, and would strengthen the conditions attached to a program that has helped residents and homeowners associations purchase security equipment since 2016.
Under the proposal, associations operating automated license plate recognition systems, or ALPR cameras, would have to maintain publicly accessible privacy policies, certify their compliance with state law and carry liability insurance naming Rancho Palos Verdes as an additional insured.
The requirements would apply not only to new applicants but also to participating neighborhoods seeking annual reimbursements for ongoing camera management costs.
The proposed changes follow an Aug. 18 City Council discussion about license plate recognition cameras operating in Rancho Palos Verdes, including systems privately managed by homeowners associations and others operated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
California's Senate Bill 34, enacted in 2015, already requires ALPR operators and authorized users to maintain written privacy policies governing the collection, use, storage and sharing of license plate information.
Under California Civil Code Section 1798.90.51, operators must make those policies publicly available and prominently display them on their websites, if they have one.
Rancho Palos Verdes' proposed amendments would make certification of compliance an explicit condition of receiving city reimbursement funds.
However, the city would not independently review or approve those policies, nor would it monitor the surveillance data collected by participating neighborhoods.
The proposed terms also prohibit city employees from accessing privately operated ALPR data or using city accounts, email addresses or credentials to access the systems.
Neighborhoods would remain responsible for their equipment, data management and compliance with applicable laws. Participants would also be required to indemnify the city against claims arising from camera operations, while those using ALPR technology would have to provide proof of liability insurance before receiving reimbursement.
Failure to comply with program requirements could result in the loss of future reimbursement opportunities.
Rancho Palos Verdes established its Public Safety Reimbursement Grant Program in December 2016 to help residents and neighborhoods purchase equipment intended to deter crime and assist investigations.
Under the existing program, individual residents can receive reimbursement for half the cost of eligible security cameras, up to $100.
Neighborhood groups representing at least five households can receive up to $2,500 toward new cameras, along with annual reimbursements covering half their recurring camera management fees, also capped at $2,500.
Applicants must demonstrate community support through signatures from at least 40% of homeowners within the participating neighborhood.
According to the staff report, two homeowners associations have received a combined $3,750 in reimbursements during the current fiscal year.
The city has identified $35,000 in its fiscal year 2026-27 budget for camera reimbursements, and staff is not requesting additional funding for the proposed changes.
The neighborhood systems are separate from the Peninsula-wide Vigilant/Motorola license plate recognition network purchased by participating cities and operated by the Sheriff's Department.
Under the reimbursement program, neighborhoods select and operate their own equipment, while the city's proposed terms continue to provide for access by the Sheriff's Department's Lomita Station for crime-prevention and investigative purposes.
The City Council will consider the revisions under Regular Business Item 4 at its 7 p.m. meeting Wednesday at Fred Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Blvd.
Staff recommends authorizing the Public Safety Division to update the program's terms and conditions. The council could also request additional information or direct staff to make further changes.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Palos Verdes Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.