New Surveillance Units Are Going Up in San Francisco. Neighbors Have Mixed Reviews

Last week, the San Francisco Police Department debuted three new surveillance units in high-incident neighborhoods, in hopes of deterring crime and appeasing residents who have long complained about issues like open-air drug dealing and prostitution-related incidents.

Each surveillance unit is 22 feet tall with three cameras affixed to the top, and features blue strobe lights that flash 24–7.

“I have not been sleeping well, like at all,” said Parks Dunlap, who lives in the Mission District and says the lights flash directly into their bedroom. “I have (traumatic brain injury) symptoms from a bad car accident that happened a few years ago that make flashing, bright lights really hard for me.”

The surveillance units are part of a recent effort by the San Francisco Police Department to ramp up public safety programs in light of the passage of Proposition E, which gives law enforcement officers more access to technology to address public safety concerns.

“We are in the tech capital of the world here in Silicon Valley, and we have to make sure that we are not behind the curve in using technology to our full advantage,” said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins at a recent press conference announcing the new units.

According to SFPD, three units have been installed in the city so far, located at 21st and Shotwell streets, Market and 7th at UN Plaza, and Folsom and 8th. The department says it’s planning to install more, but did not disclose where and when.

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

In addition to the bright lights, Dunlap worries about their privacy, given that the three cameras affixed to the unit look directly into their apartment.

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

Dunlap said they’re working to install curtains as soon as possible. They said they contacted SFPD to complain about the new unit, and the department said it’s looking into dimming the lights.

A group of Dunlap’s neighbors is currently suing the city for its alleged failure to enforce laws against sex trafficking, calling it a “public nuisance.” Residents brought the lawsuit after San Francisco officials put up bollards to deter sex work on Capp Street in the Mission District, which then pushed workers a couple blocks over.

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

“Neighbors in these areas have communicated to the SFPD about a need to address issues like drug dealing, prostitution-related crime and other criminal activity,” Sernoffsky said. “We are doing everything in our power to reduce crime in the city, including using new technology under Prop. E.”

Some neighbors praised the department for taking action.

“I applaud the city for trying something,” Beth Miles, who lives on Shotwell Street, said. “I’m upset with some of my neighbors who are up in arms about it because we have to try something.”

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

“The city has put up this blind-eye approach to let whatever happens on Shotwell happen,” she said. “We know what’s happening on Shotwell. It’s in plain view.”

As far as whether the surveillance units are working to deter criminal activity, Miles said it’s too soon to tell.

SFPD said they have not directly led to any arrests, but are another helpful tool to deter and respond to crime.

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