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Council approves camera hardware purchases after staff assurances on access and privacy
Summary
Council approved item 26 to buy listed cameras after Chief Innovation Officer George Khalil and a Riverside PD deputy chief said the systems are hosted on the city’s network, stored on‑premises, and the listed cameras do not run facial recognition or license‑plate reading; police said external access would require lawful process.
The council unanimously approved a camera hardware purchase (item 26) after questions from councilmembers about media reports that federal agencies had gained access to municipal surveillance systems elsewhere. Chief Innovation Officer George Khalil described the listed equipment as hardware only and said city camera infrastructure is hosted primarily on a closed fiber system with on‑premises storage: "There is no external access to our infrastructure," he said.
When Councilmember Cervantes asked whether federal access would require a warrant, Khalil deferred legal specifics to the city attorney and police; Deputy Chief Frank Asuma told the council the police department generally will be involved only in criminal investigations and that California law precludes police involvement in immigration enforcement matters that are civil in nature. Asuma said: "If there isn't a valid warrant or a search warrant issued by a court of law, then we wouldn't be involved."
Staff also said the cameras in this purchase do not perform facial recognition or automated license‑plate reading and that footage requests are handled through the public records process and, where applicable, city attorney review.
With staff clarifications, the item was approved unanimously.
