Covina council approves $588,000 security camera upgrade amid privacy and funding concerns

The Covina City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved consent item CC22, a $588,000 contract to upgrade and expand the city's security camera system, following extended public comment about surveillance, funding and possible privacy impacts.

Chief Walczak told the council the camera program dates to 2013 and that footage is stored and monitored by Covina Police Department staff; access is limited to authorized police employees and, in limited circumstances, select public-works staff. The chief said the project would add cameras at the Public Works yard and at several water facilities to protect city assets and that the bulk of the expense covers data transmission and storage.

"ICE does not have access to our cameras," Chief Walczak said, adding that it would be unlawful for the department to cooperate in that way. He also said the project before council is not "AI-driven" and that, while some internal analytic tools can speed video searches, the system will be controlled by Covina PD and public-works staff rather than outside parties.

Residents who opposed the contract said the cameras risk intrusive surveillance and could be used to profile people if tied to broad data systems. Dr. Bridal Serrano noted that a product description for the camera model named in the contract lists searchable features such as cross-camera people search and face search and urged notice for senior-center participants when cameras are installed nearby. "The public should know what the capabilities are," Dr. Serrano said.

City Treasurer Neil Polzin and other speakers also questioned how the city would fund the project. Susan Zermano cited apparent transfers totaling $338,000 from enterprise funds she identified on the agenda (she named $163,000 from the water utility fund, $100,000 from the sanitary sewer fund, $75,000 from an environmental fund and a smaller amount from a Proposition A fund) and asked whether moving those monies complied with Proposition 218.

City Manager said the contract is roughly 40% funded from police department sources (impact fees or PD-related funds), with about $20,000 from the general fund and the remainder from enterprise funds tied to the facilities being protected. Councilmembers stressed the nexus between the funds used and the facilities receiving cameras.

Councilmember King moved to approve CC22 and Councilmember Allen seconded. The city clerk called the roll and the measure passed unanimously.

Councilmembers said they would seek to notify the public when cameras are installed at locations such as the senior center and reiterated that the department will limit access to footage to authorized personnel. The council did not change the contract language or funding approval at the meeting; installation and operational details will follow as staff implements the project.