In a bid to tackle rising crime rates, the city of Oakland and surrounding freeways are set to be equipped with hundreds of high-tech surveillance cameras. The California governor, Gavin Newsom, made the announcement on Friday, detailing plans to install 480 cameras capable of identifying and tracking vehicles by license plate, type, color, decals, and bumper stickers.

The state's highway patrol, in collaboration with surveillance technology company Flock Safety, will oversee the installation of these cameras. The network will provide real-time alerts to authorities regarding suspect vehicles, aiding in the fight against criminal activity.

However, the decision to implement the surveillance system has faced criticism from opponents who argue that it infringes on privacy rights and may lead to further police abuse, particularly affecting marginalized communities. They assert that addressing root causes of crime, such as poverty, housing instability, and low wages, should take precedence over investing in surveillance efforts.

The debate over resource allocation has ensued, with the Anti Police-Terror Project stating, "For every dollar we spend on surveillance cameras, that's a dollar not spent on proven public safety strategies." They question how the funds allocated for the cameras could instead be used to provide housing or create living wage jobs.

Governor Newsom, however, defends the decision, highlighting the importance of equipping law enforcement with effective tools to combat criminal activity and hold perpetrators accountable. He believes that the surveillance network will contribute to building safer and stronger communities for all Californians.

Newsom's announcement comes at a time when highway shootings have been on the decline throughout the state. The Freeway Security Network, comprising ShotSpotter directional microphones and high-resolution cameras, was established by local law enforcement in response to an increase in these incidents in the late 2010s. According to CHP data analyzed by the Guardian, despite this technology, highway shootings rose from 210 in 2019 to 411 in 2021, coinciding with a national increase in homicides driven by gun violence.

While there has been a decrease in highway shootings since 2021, public safety remains a concern statewide, particularly retail theft. This has prompted even liberal leaders of Democratic cities to embrace increased policing measures. However, Oakland continues to experience a surge in crime, prompting major downtown employers, including Blue Shield of California, Clorox, Kaiser Permanente, and Pacific Gas & Electric, to announce plans for a joint $10 million security program to enhance public safety and protect employees.

Critics of the surveillance cameras argue that the funds could be better utilized to address the underlying issues contributing to crime rates in Oakland. They express concerns that investing in faulty technology and disproportionately placing surveillance in poor communities could further instill fear and terrorize vulnerable residents, particularly Black, Latino, and other marginalized groups.

Nearly 300 of the cameras will be deployed on city streets, with the remaining cameras installed on nearby state highways, according to Governor Newsom's statement. In an effort to protect privacy rights, the footage captured by the cameras will be retained for 28 days and shared only with California law enforcement agencies, eliminating the involvement of third parties.

As the city of Oakland grapples with the challenge of rising crime, the installation of these high-tech surveillance cameras marks a significant step in its efforts to enhance public safety. However, the ongoing debate surrounding the use of such technology highlights the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of crime while ensuring the protection of civil liberties.