Fremont Votes For Surveillance Camera, License Plate Reader System

FREMONT (CBS SF) – The city of Fremont will be installing a series of video surveillance cameras and license plate readers, after the city council gave its unanimous approval for the project on Tuesday night.

The plan calls for as many as a dozen cameras to be installed at key entrance and exit points around Fremont.

"The reason that we are concentrating on those locations is because of our recognition of the mobile nature of the modern offender," said Fremont Police Chief Richard Lucero.

Video will be saved no longer than 30 days and license plate data no longer than a year, unless it becomes evidence in a specific crime. "One of the dimensions that we would like to stress very specifically is our understanding and cognizance of privacy issues," Lucero said.

But critics at Tuesday's meeting said the program could eventually lead to even more surveillance.

"In the words of Ben Franklin, they who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety," said one critic.

The cameras and license plate readers are not expected to be installed until early next year, as police are still in the process of selecting a manufacturer.

All told, the project has a price tag of $300,000.