Vallejo board to form ad hoc panel to draft facial‑recognition policy amid public opposition

Public concern over facial-recognition technology drove a distinct agenda item at the Surveillance Advisory Board meeting, with multiple speakers urging the board to preclude the technology’s future use.

Jose Carrizales told the board that facial-recognition systems have a documented record of misidentifying people of color and urged the board not to “move forward with any type of facial recognition.” Several commenters and an online speaker group called for a policy that would prohibit future acquisition or activation of facial-recognition capabilities and require cancellation of any vendor updates that would enable it.

Board members said the city does not currently use facial recognition and has no active plans to acquire it, but several members argued that a policy now would prevent a future ‘flip-the-switch’ activation. “By having a policy, we can ensure that either it’s not turned on or it’s explicitly prohibited in our terms of service,” a board member said during discussion.

Legal counsel advised that the board could recommend creation of an ad hoc facial-recognition policy committee and that a resolution would be required to formalize its membership and scope; the board agreed to add the item to the action calendar at the next meeting so members can consider appointment and a draft resolution.

Public speakers and board members requested the ad hoc committee examine accuracy studies, documented instances of misuse, equity impacts on communities of color, and the liability risk posed by lawsuits referencing facial-recognition errors. The board directed staff to return with draft language and to place the matter on the next meeting’s action calendar.