Mayor Todd Gloria today signed into law two measures approved by the City Council designed to make communities across the City of San Diego safer.  

The first allows for the City to move forward in activating 500 Smart Streetlight cameras and deploy Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology. The second enacts the City’s new Safe Sidewalk Program, which will make it easier and cheaper for property owners to repair damaged and dangerous sidewalks. 

“The No. 1 job of city government is to ensure residents are safe in their communities. My administration takes that responsibility very seriously, which is why we requested the City Council’s approval for both the Smart Streetlights and Safe Sidewalks programs,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “I’m pleased to sign these improvements into law, because I'm confident that they will make our communities safer. I thank the City Council for their partnership and support of these efforts.”  

On Nov. 14, the City Council approved a proposal to deploy Smart Streetlights and Automated License Plate Recognition technologies. The approval, with the Mayor’s signature, will now allow the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) to enter into a five-year agreement with Ubicquia, Inc. for 500 Smart Streetlight cameras, paired with Flock Safety’s ALPR technology. The technology will be used to help SDPD solve violent crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.  

The combination of the two technologies provides SDPD with both video and ALPR data-collection capabilities at a lower cost than if the two were purchased and maintained separately. SDPD looks to have this technology operational by January.  

On Nov. 15, the City Council passed the Mayor’s Safe Sidewalks Program, which was first announced in his last State of the City address. The program invests resources to fix uneven and damaged sidewalks while making it easier for people to make repairs in front of their private property. It waives costly permit fees and helps expedite the process for property owners to make needed sidewalk repairs, saving up to $2,100 per project.  

Many property owners are not aware that state law makes them responsible for maintenance of sidewalks fronting their private property, creating a potential safety hazard and legal liability. This program cuts red tape and waives permitting fees to help residents and businesses fulfill that responsibility.