Administrative Code Chapter 19B establishes requirements that City departments must follow before they may use or acquire new surveillance technology, including obtaining Board of Supervisors approval of a surveillance technology policy.

The modified Surveillance Technology Policy for the City Administrator’s Office includes acquiring and using security camera systems, revising and replacing the current policy, and allowing additional cameras to be acquired in the future.

The benefits of acquiring and using security cameras outweigh the costs and risks, and it will safeguard civil liberties and civil rights without being discriminatory or having a disparate impact on any community or protected class.

The Surveillance Technology Policy aims to ensure information collected is used only for legally authorized purposes and not in a discriminatory manner. It also prevents the use of automated systems to identify individuals based on protected characteristics.

The Committee on Information Technology (COIT) reviewed the Surveillance Impact Reports and recommended the Policy to the Board for approval following public hearings.

The Board of Supervisors have approved the modified Surveillance Technology Policy, which will become effective 30 days after enactment, with the Mayor’s signature, lapse, or Board override of a veto.