COMMUNITY SAFETY CAMERA SYSTEMS
Oakland Police Department
A/Lt. Gabriel Urquiza
Dr. Carlo Beckman
A/Cpt. Omar Daza-Quiroz
ELEMENTS OF THE CS CAMERA SYSTEM
Community/Private
owned or managed
devices
Department
owned/managed
devices
Integration Platform
(Flock OS)
COMMUNITY/PRIVATE DEVICES
Requires affirmative opt-in to share access to historical and real-time video data.
Owner/Manager retains ownership over data.
Flock OS provides OPD the capability to access data related to investigations.
Data only downloaded/saved if determined to be evidence related to a specific investigation.
Participants do not have access to OPD system or any other participants data.
OPD OWNED/MANAGED DEVICES
Only OPD has direct access to data captured by devices.
Data is retained for 30 days unless determined to be evidence related to investigation.
Evidence is download from the system and retained in separate data storage system Data is not searchable by any other agency.
Intended to supplement existing community-based cameras in commercial areas.
FLOCK OPERATING SYSTEM
A technology platform allowing CS Camera System integration.
Potential of integrating additional existing systems into Flock OS for more cohesive and comprehensive approach.
CS Camera System data is not searchable/accessible by any other agency.
Tier Access within the Department for Live Access (Tier 1) and Historical Access (Tier 2)
DATA ANALYSIS
THE ROLE OF THE REAL -TIME
OPERATIONS CENTER (RTOC)
• The role of the Real-Time Operations Center (RTOC) is to integrate real- time intelligence and technology cohesively and comprehensively. The RTOC’s purpose is to assist in the coordination of field operations and to work together with investigative bodies, community resources, and outside agencies, to address crime, particularly violent crime, within the community of Oakland.
• The RTOC model is designed to be a force multiplier, where a small group of dedicated members will look to leverage technology and investigative experience to increase the ability of the overall Department to respond to and investigate violent crime, both in real-time and in the critical hours following the commission of a crime.
THE ROLE OF THE RTOC
The Real-Time Operations Center began a pilot program in July of 2024 and sought to integrate and leverage existing technology within the Department, while researching and developing new and emerging technology that would be beneficial to the community.
The RTOC has since evolved to assist with operations and planning throughout the Department, while supporting field operations that address disruptive criminal activity. The RTOC program currently works within the current Ceasefire Section, providing data-informed direction to support the overall Ceasefire Strategy.
THE ROLE OF DATA
As part of the RTOC model, OPD has conducted significant analysis related to crime data. The focus of this research was primarily on criminal activity that has the largest impact on the community and businesses within Oakland. These include burglaries, robberies, shootings, and homicides. While
conducting this analysis, the RTOC also analyzed data related to how particular types of crime may impact vulnerable
communities.
Carjacking incidents peaked
in 2023 at 513 armed
carjackings. In the first 6
months of 2024, there was
an average of 40 carjackings
per month.
After the implementation of
Flock ALPR in July of 2024,
there was an average of 24
Carjackings per month.
2023 YTD, there were 568 carjacking robberies.
2025 YTD, there have been 192 carjacking robberies, a 66% decrease.
2025 YTD, there has been a 41% decrease in overall
robberies. Robberies are down 53% between 2023 YTD
(3,047) and 2025 YTD (1,416).
Challenges Related T o Robberies in Oakland
Latino members of the
community were impacted by
robberies at a significantly
higher rate, 55% of the total
robberies in Oakland
(2025 YTD).
The second most impacted
group is Black members of
the community, who were
targeted in 19% of the total
robberies in Oakland.
This data illustrates the
impact of robberies on our
communities of color, while
demonstrating the benefits to
vulnerable populations that
are presented by deterring or
preventing robbery activity.
THE IMPACT OF HOMICIDES ON
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
• In 2023, there were 125 homicides, with 116 of those victims being people of color, approximately 93% of all homicides.
• In 2024, of the 85 homicides, 88% of homicide victims were people of color.
• Through the end of September 2025, of the 51 homicides, 49 of those victims were people of color, approximately 96% of the total homicides.
IMPACTING HOMICIDES
• At this time in October 2023 (YTD), there were 104 homicides. • Through October 20th, 2025, there have been 55 homicides; a 47% percent decrease.
It is the Department’s explicit intent to continue to drive down homicides in the most impacted communities by taking a collective and comprehensive approach to addressing violence.
T echnology is one element of that approach, along with utilizing community partnerships and supporting the separate but parallel work of the Department of Violence Prevention.
OPD believes that the significant decrease in violent crime is attributed to the multi-pronged and holistic approach by the City of Oakland, which includes OPD’s continued investment in the Ceasefire model and use of technology. T echnology has been integral in the Department’s Public Safety efforts and has measured success over the last two years.
FISCAL IMPACT
OPD intends to utilize $2,252,000 (over 2 years) in City funding for Flock Safety software and hardware products.
OPD has $1,500,000 authorized to utilize for funding Flock Safety systems for FY 25-26 and another $1,500,000 authorized for FY -26-
27. No additional funding has been requested from the General Purpose Fund. The funds were already allocated by OPD during the FY 25-26 budget.
FLOCK contract dates Costs
Year 1 $1,155,500
Year 2 $1,097,000
TOTAL $2,252,500
CONTRACT SAFEGUARDS
• Data collected is the property of the City of Oakland and shall not be shared with any other entity without the consent of the City. Any violation of this clause would represent a breach of contract, allowing the Department/City to terminate the contract.
• As part of the proposed contract, Flock has agreed not to collect anonymized aggregated data for the purpose of machine learning.
CONTRACT SAFEGUARDS
• Language within the contract that allows for a termination of the contract for the following:
• Federal Assumption. (In the event that the City is assumed, merged into, or otherwise placed under the direct control or administration of the United States Federal Government (a “Federal Assumption”), and as a result is no longer able to operate as an independent agency, performance of all Services under this Agreement shall be immediately suspended and qualify as a termination for cause.)
• Contract with a Federal Agency that invalidates or compromises the City’s sole ownership of City Data.
ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS
• The Department continues to be aligned with the principles of the community and the City of Oakland related to Immigration Enforcement.
• By Department and City Policy, OPD does not assist in any Immigration Enforcement.
• The Community Safety Camera System shall only be accessed by members of the Department who are authorized to utilize it. No outside agency shall be provided access to the system.
STAFFING CONCERNS
CRITICAL STAFFING SITUATION
In January of 2024, OPD sworn staffing levels were at 711, 89 fewer than the last proposed staffing study suggested. Currently, in October of 2025, OPD sworn staffing levels are at 636, with an operational staffing level of 509 sworn. At these numbers, critical units have been required to be disbanded to backfill essential roles in Patrol.
URGENCY
OPD’s concern is how quickly progress can be reversed, as was demonstrated in 2020.
During the first 6 months of 2020, there were 37 homicides. The second half of 2020 saw a large spike, with 72 homicides occurring in that 6- month period. This trend continued into 2021, 2022, and 2023 where far higher incidents of shootings and homicides were seen, compared to recent years.
IN CONCLUSION
• In the last two years, Oakland has seen tremendous progress related to overall crime, especially violent crime. OPD is committed to continuing the positive momentum forward despite the limited staffing resources available and seeks to utilize technology to keep Oakland heading in the right direction.
• OPD recognizes that there is an important balance between privacy and public safety and is focused on utilizing technology responsibly, with sufficient guardrails to protect the community’s data. T echnology must always be used ethically and constitutionally and in accordance with policy, procedure, law, and in accordance with our Surveillance T echnology Ordinance 13635 CMS.
QUESTIONS?