Citizens Privacy Council

The council will help the Redlands Police Department in their efforts to balance the use of surveillance cameras in public areas to enhance community safety with the citizens’ right to privacy.

The council will also advise the department on the use of diverse sets of data from a variety of city departments, schools, public health systems, community groups, victims and others to map factors that contribute to crime and disorder.

Downtown surveillance cameras were approved by the City Council in November 2006. The cameras are a part of the Redlands Police Department’s strategy to leverage existing technology as “force multipliers.”

One of the advantages of the system is the ability it gives police to intervene during a crime in progress or even before a crime occurs.

The cameras, which are monitored by Redlands Police dispatchers, have aided in the apprehension of burglars and drunken drivers and have been instrumental in preventing assaults downtown.

While lauding the use of cameras to intervene in crime, Redlands Police Chief Jim Bueermann also recognizes legitimate concerns citizens may have over privacy issues.

“I would much rather put someone in jail now for being drunk in public than arrest him later after a fight or an assault,” Bueermann said. “But I also understand the responsibility we have in using this technology appropriately and the need for transparency so that citizens are confident that their privacy is respected.”

In November 2006, when the cameras were approved, the City Council also approved Chief Bueermann’s request to form a Citizens’ Privacy Council to address the privacy issues raised by their use.