New Security Cameras in San Francisco – NBC Bay Area

A new pilot project to deploy mobile security cameras in San Francisco will involve three cameras mounted on poles, with spotlights and speakers to broadcast messages, city officials said Monday.

Mayor London Breed held a press conference with Police Chief Bill Scott, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and Sheriff Paul Miyamoto to announce the launch of the LiveView Technologies cameras.

The project will initially include three mobile cameras that will use artificial intelligence to help identify suspicious behavior.
The devices consist of a camera mounted on a 22-foot pole, a loudspeaker for announcing messages and warnings, and spotlights and strobe lights.

For example, if you notice someone behaving suspiciously near your car or dealing drugs, the device can play a pre-recorded message informing you that a recording is being made or that the police have been called.

“Our officers are already eager to use other technologies, such as (automatic license plate readers) and drones, to make significant arrests,” Scott said in a news release. “I can’t wait to see what they do with these security units.”

Because they are portable, law enforcement can place them in high-crime areas if circumstances require it.

A company representative said the cameras are already in use in Santa Clara, Los Angeles and Sacramento counties, with annual operating costs ranging from $30,000 to $40,000.

Two of the cameras will be placed somewhere in the Mission District and Mid-Market area, the location of the third has not yet been determined.

To learn more about how the cameras work, you can visit www.lvt.com/resources/lvt-demo.