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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | DEPARTMENT POLICY
TOPIC ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)- EQUIPPED CAMERAS FOR CODE
COMPLIANCE
CD-DP -
XX
Distributed by Original Date Revised Approved by:
_________________________________
Andrew Firestine, Director of Community
and Economic Development
Community Development
Division
05/xx/25
POLICY
This policy establishes guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-equipped cameras in the proactive identification of potential Municipal Code violations. The City of Cathedral City is committed to improving neighborhood conditions through equitable, efficient, and educational enforcement methods. This program prioritizes voluntary compliance through education and transparency while ensuring community safety, privacy, and data security.
PURPOSE
To implement an educational and technologically enhanced code compliance approach using AI detection tools to identify visible code violations such as:
•Overgrown vegetation
•Abandoned or inoperable vehicles
•Graffiti
•Illegal dumping
•Exterior blight
This policy applies to all public areas and rights-of-way where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.
DEFINITIONS
•AI-Equipped Camera: A vehicle-mounted device that uses predictive artificial intelligence to scan public spaces and identify potential code violations via still images. •Code Violation: Any observed non-compliance with the Cathedral City Municipal Code. •Courtesy Notice: A mailed notice outlining a violation, associated code, photo evidence, corrective steps, and a deadline for compliance prior to elevated enforcement actions. •Blight Score: A numeric indicator measuring the level of property neglect or deterioration. •Relative Blight Score: A percentage metric comparing a property's blight condition to neighboring parcels.
PROCEDURE
1. AI Camera Operation
Code Compliance vehicles will be equipped with AI cameras to scan designated public areas.
Images captured and flagged by the AI system will be reviewed by trained City staff to confirm
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potential violations.
2. Violation Confirmation & Notification
Upon confirmation:
•A case is opened in the City's case management system. •Staff prepares a Courtesy Notice for both the property owner and the tenant (if applicable), including:
oDescription of the violation
oPhoto evidence
oCode section citation
oSuggested remedies
oCompliance deadline
If the violation is corrected upon reinspection within the designated period, the case will be closed and marked as compliant. Otherwise, it will transition to a formal enforcement case as needed.
3. Data Management
•All images are securely stored by the City’s contracted provider (e.g., City Detect) and used solely for internal enforcement purposes.
•As defined in the City’s agreement with City Detect, they retain all ownership of the images and analytical data produced.
•The City has limited right to access and use the product subject to the acceptable use policy in the agreement.
•Use of City Detect and associated data shall be:
oFor official City use only
oIn accordance with Section 1210 of the Personnel Rules oRespectful of privacy rights and protections
•No data will be shared without authorized consent.
•Improper use may be subject to corrective measures in accordance with the employee’s specific bargaining unit agreement and applicable City Personnel Rules.
Implementation and Compliance
To ensure effective implementation of this AI-equipped camera program, the City is committed to thorough staff training, ongoing evaluation, and regular review of compliance with this policy.
The training and evaluation framework ensures all staff understand both the technical requirements and ethical considerations of using this technology, as well as their rights and responsibilities under their respective bargaining unit agreements.
4. Training & Evaluation
Staff assigned to this program will undergo regular training in:
•AI system use
•Municipal Code interpretation
•Public engagement and education strategies
Initial and Ongoing Training
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Prior to implementation, the City will provide comprehensive training to all staff authorized to use or review data from the AI-equipped camera system. Training will include:
•Proper operation of the AI camera technology
•Understanding AI capabilities and limitations
•Data privacy and security protocols
•Procedures for reviewing and confirming AI-flagged violations •Ethical considerations in AI-assisted code enforcement •Review of applicable sections of Personnel Rules and bargaining unit agreements Refresher training will be provided annually and whenever significant updates are made to the system or related policies.
Ongoing performance reviews will include metrics such as:
•Complaint trends
•Compliance rates
•Neighborhood condition tracking
NOTES
This policy may be revised as needed to reflect evolving technology, staffing availability, or Council direction. All procedures will remain consistent with Cathedral City’s core values of safety, community pride, inclusiveness, diversity, community investment, culture of service, and innovation beyond technology.