NOT YET APPROVED
Surveillance Use Policy for Security Cameras for Council Chambers In accordance with Palo Alto Municipal Code Section PAMC § 2.30.680(d), the Surveillance Use Policy for the City’s use of security cameras in Council Chambers is as follows:
1. Intended Purpose. The intent of security cameras is to increase the safety and security of City staff and the general public who access the Council Chambers and to protect City property.
2. Authorized Uses. City personnel may only access surveillance video (“footage”) for official and legitimate security, safety, and law enforcement purposes consistent with this Policy.
The following uses of security cameras are specifically prohibited:
a. Harassment or Intimidation: It is a violation of this Policy to use the system to harass and/or intimidate any individual or group.
b. Personal Use: It is a violation of this Policy to use the system or data for any personal purpose.
c. First Amendment Rights. It is a violation of this policy to use the system or data for the purpose or known effect of infringing upon First Amendment rights of any person.
d. Invasion of Privacy: It is a violation of this Policy to use the system or data in any manner contrary to local, state, and federal privacy laws.
3. Information Collected. Security cameras will record video and audio (if permitted by law). Depending on the specific technology used, metadata such as time, date, and location of the camera may be documented with the video.
4. Safeguards. All footage will be closely safeguarded and protected by both procedural and technological means. The City will observe the following safeguards regarding access to and use of stored data:
a. All footage shall be accessible only through a login/password‐protected system. b. The City Clerk and the Director of IT shall have access to the footage and may delegate access to specific City staff members as long as such delegation is in writing and compliant with this Policy. Staff may forward footage to law enforcement, including PAPD, for investigation. Once received, PAPD shall control footage under their own Department policies.
c. Persons approved to access footage under this policy are permitted to access the data for legitimate safety, security, and law enforcement purposes only, such as when the footage relates to a specific incident or criminal investigation.
5. Retention. The City shall comply with Govt. Code section 34090.6 et seq. to retain footage pursuant to state law (currently one year). Additionally, the City will retain relevant footage longer than the retention period if it is reasonable to believe it will NOT YET APPROVED
become evidence in a specific criminal investigation or is subject to a discovery request or other lawful action to produce records.
6. Access by non‐City Entities. The footage may be shared outside of the City with law enforcement or prosecutorial agencies for official law enforcement purposes or as required by law or court order.
7. Compliance Procedures. The City Clerk and the Director of IT shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with procedures, including, but not limited to:
a. Ensuring only designated staff are allowed access to footage when authorized by this policy.
b. Ensuring the security and retention of the footage collected and compliance with applicable laws.