Peninsula City Acquires Advanced Surveillance Equipment: Report

SAN MATEO, CA — The San Mateo City Council approved the police department’s plan to acquire advanced surveillance equipment according to a published report.

Police say the two drones and additional license plate readers will be used to locate missing persons and solve auto burglaries, The San Mateo Daily Journal reports.

Police Sgt. Shannon Hagan said the two drones have different uses, according to the report.

The more expensive model can fly for up to 40 minutes amid more rugged weather and carry heavier cameras, lighting and a speaker to communicate with those who are stranded, the report said.

The other model is a portable drone that can be more easily deployed, Hagan told The Daily Journal.

The deployment of surveillance technology has raised concerns among privacy advocates.

Councilman Rick Bonilla said he initially shared some of those concerns but has been assured police will use the equipment for legitimate crime-fighting purposes, The Daily Journal reports.

“Previously my big concerns with license readers and aerial surveillance was privacy, but I have to say it seems as though the privacy issue has been fairly well dealt with,” Bonilla said.

“I’m proud our police department has taken great strides to purchase affordable equipment that will enable us to better clamp down on crime, save time and be more efficient. I’m really starting to like these technologies.”

Read more in The San Mateo Daily Journal