New Surveillance Units Are Being Established in San Francisco. Neighbors Have Mixed Reviews

According to SFPD, three units have been set up in the city so far: at 21st and Shotwell streets, at Market and 7th UN Plaza, and at Folsom and 8th streets. The ministry said it plans to install more but did not say where or when.

“We are procuring more units and identifying the best locations where they will have maximum impact,” said Evan Sernoffsky, SFPD’s communications director.

In addition to the bright lights, Dunlap is concerned about their privacy because the three cameras attached to the unit look directly into their apartment.

“I know our neighbors have ring cameras and stuff, but it’s sad and frustrating to have a large security camera pop up right outside your living room that can see into your living room and bedroom at night,” they said.

Dunlap said they are trying to install the curtains as soon as possible. They said they contacted SFPD to complain about the new unit, and the department said it was investigating dimming the lights.

A group of Dunlap’s neighbors is currently suing the city for allegedly failing to enforce laws against sex trafficking, calling it a “public nuisance.” Residents filed the lawsuit after San Francisco officials erected bollards to discourage sex work on Capp Street in the Mission District, pushing workers several blocks away.

These surveillance units are the department’s latest response to these concerns.

“Neighbors in these areas have communicated to SFPD about the need to address issues such as drug dealing, prostitution-related crimes and other criminal activity,” Sernoffsky said. “We are doing everything we can to reduce crime in the city, including using new technologies under Proposition E.”

Some neighbors praised the department’s action.

“I applaud the city for trying something,” said Beth Miles, who lives on Shotwell Street. “I feel resentful of some of my neighbors who are nervous about this because we have to try something.”

Miles said the city has failed to enforce its laws against street sex trafficking since she moved into her home last year.

“The city has taken this blind-eye approach to allow whatever happens at Shotwell to happen,” he said. “We know what happened at Shotwell. “It’s obvious.”

As for whether surveillance units are working to deter criminal activity, Miles said it’s too early to tell.

SFPD said these do not directly lead to any arrests, but are another useful tool for deterring and responding to crime.

“They are a powerful deterrent and work in conjunction with our other technology,” Sernoffsky said. “When we make arrests, they are not the only tool we use, they may be one of the contributing factors.”