Fremont Police Department, CA
Home MenuCitywide Community Camera Project Including Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
The Fremont Police Department (FPD) is dedicated to protecting the Fremont community from criminal activity. Through intelligence-led policing and innovative technology, we work to quickly apprehend suspects, limiting their ability to harm our community. To accomplish this, the Police Department deploys several strategies, including focusing on serious and repeat offenders; strengthening two-way communication and trust with the community; and leveraging video cameras, while also encouraging residents and businesses to invest in their own camera systems.
Fremont’s Community Camera Project has been highly successful over the years, directly leading to the identification of suspects in serious crimes including murders, home invasions and robberies. The Fremont Police Department strategically places video cameras in public areas to deter crime and quickly identify and apprehend suspects. Also, we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of privacy and civil liberties, ensuring that our core values, state law, and department policy guide the use of our technology resources.
Background
In 2014, FPD received approval from the Fremont City Council to allocate funds for a Community Camera Project in the City of Fremont. In March of 2016, the first camera was installed at the freeway on-ramp at Stevenson Blvd. and northbound I-880.
The framework for the program was to place fixed cameras and Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras at exit points to our city. Our analysis showed that the majority of serious offenders committing crimes in our city were not Fremont residents. Therefore, our program initially focused on the city’s exit points, providing the greatest likelihood of capturing images of suspects, their vehicles, and their license plates as they exited the city. The second phase of the camera project was intended to prevent crime from occurring. We strategically placed cameras at public locations where we believed we could be alerted to known offenders before they committed crimes.
Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR Cameras)
Our fixed cameras are equipped with ALPR (Automatic License Plate Recognition) technology, which digitally reads the license plates of vehicles passing by the camera. ALPRs are used by FPD and throughout the country as an effective means of locating vehicles involved in crimes. ALPR, like video, can drastically decrease the time it takes to locate suspects and vehicles associated with criminal activity.
In addition to the ALPR cameras installed as part of the Community Camera Project, FPD also installed mobile ALPR cameras in patrol vehicles, providing coverage throughout the city. We also have a mobile ALPR camera installed in a trailer, allowing us to move it to current crime hotspots around the city.
Our department adheres to departmental policy, guided by state law (SB 34), in all matters related to technology. Per policy, video recordings are stored on a secure server where they are retained for 30 days before being purged. Video will only be saved for longer than 30 days if it is evidence in a specific investigation. Retention of ALPR data varies depending on the camera vendor, but it will not be stored beyond one year, unless it is evidence in a specific investigation. ALPR data is made available to other California law enforcement agencies through data-sharing agreements and utilized in compliance with department policy.
Community Outreach
Prior to requesting funding for the Community Camera Project in 2015, the FPD conducted a survey through the City's Open City Hall to gauge residents' opinions on the proposal. Approximately 400 community members responded to the survey with nearly 85% very supportive. Subsequent community meetings continue to garner community support for cameras to enhance public safety. A 2018 community presentation titled, Leveraging Technology for Public Safety, provided useful information about camera systems and usage and can still be viewed via webcast.
Camera Locations
- Fremont Bl / Enea Ct
- Decoto Rd / I-880
- Mowry Bl / I-880
- Stevenson Bl / I-880
- Ardenwood Bl / SR-84
- Mission Bl / Washington Bl
- Mission Bl / Paseo Padre Pk
- Auto Mall Pk / Christy St
- Mission Bl / Union City border
- Thornton Ave / I-880
- Mowry Ave / Farwell Dr
- Fremont Bl / Mowry Ave
- Fremont Bl / Sundale Dr
- Fremont Bl / Washington Bl
- Auto Mall Pk / Grimmer Bl
- Auto Mall Pk / Osgood Rd
- Warm Springs Bl / Warren Ave
- Fremont Bl / Cushing Pk
- Blacow Rd / Central Ave
- Charter Square Motel 6
- Mission Bl / Curtner Rd
- Niles Bl / Linda Dr
- Alvarado Bl / Falcon Dr
- Mission Bl (SR-262) / Kato Rd
FPD continues to evaluate the need for future camera deployments and uses data analysis to determine the locations.
Total Cameras and Additional City Owned/Operated Camera
- 2000 Stevenson Blvd - captures traffic in the eastbound direction of Stevenson Blvd as well as the Police Department's “Exchange Zone” in the front parking lot.
- FPD has 4 mobile camera trailers; 56 color cameras; 12 license plate capture cameras; 46 fixed ALPR cameras; and access to over 87 traffic cameras installed by the City’s Engineering department for traffic needs.
- The City of Fremont has 7 Flock ALPR cameras managed by Environmental Services which the PD has access to.
- FPD patrol vehicles utilize 97 Axon Fleet mobile ALPR cameras which increase coverage throughout the city.
- PD maintains business camera partnerships with six commercial centers providing access to 63 exterior cameras.
Community Camera & Automated License Plate Reader Policies
In the News
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