San Diego’s Smart Streetlight and Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology is fulfilling its intended purpose—helping the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) solve crimes and keep San Diegans safe. Since Mayor Todd Gloria and the San Diego City Council’s reintroduction of this technology last year, the tools have played a crucial role in numerous criminal investigations, leading to arrests and recovery of stolen vehicles across the city. 

The technology has already contributed to 229 criminal cases in 2024, resulting in 166 arrests. Among these cases is a recent two-time attempted kidnapping near Mission Valley Mall, where ALPR technology helped officers locate the suspect’s vehicle in another part of the city, leading to his swift arrest.

“The results speak for themselves,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Smart Streetlights and ALPR technology have proven to be essential tools for our police officers, helping to quickly identify suspects and solve crimes. My number one responsibility as mayor is to keep San Diegans safe — these tools are helping us do that."

The Smart Streetlight system was also instrumental in solving a string of armed robberies and aiding in the safe return of a missing elderly man.  

The technologies were reintroduced in December 2023 in accordance with newly developed privacy measures, the Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology (TRUST) Ordinance, which ensures transparency around the placement of equipment and how data acquired may be accessed, used and stored. 

“In less than a year since being installed, the Smart Streetlights and ALPR readers have already proven their effectiveness,” Police Chief Scott Wahl said. “This technology is critical to our ability to investigate crimes throughout our city. SDPD remains committed to using tools like these responsibly to hold criminals accountable and provide the highest level of public safety to our residents.”

Smart Streetlights and ALPR systems have proven their value in real-world scenarios, such as the recovery of 163 stolen vehicles and the arrest of violent offenders. With public safety at the forefront, these tools are helping to ensure that San Diego remains one of the safest big cities in America. 

“Our neighborhoods should be safe for everyone to live, work, and play,” said Councilmember Marni von Wilpert. “Technology like Smart Streetlights has shown to play a critical role in protecting our communities, helping police do their work more efficiently, while also protecting the privacy rights of our residents.” 

Smart Streetlight cameras paired with the ALPR technology are being installed in 500 locations citywide. During the installation process at some sites, SDPD discovered deficiencies in needed infrastructure at more than 40 locations, including poles with insufficient voltage or power, buildings, signs, or trees blocking the camera view, or poles having been removed at designated locations.  

Following those challenges and in light of ever-shifting crime trends, SDPD intends to request approval by the City Council for greater flexibility in the movement of Smart Streetlights under the Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology Ordinance (TRUST Ordinance) when structural issues or natural barriers impact the effectiveness of the cameras. This authorization will be considered by the City Council later this year. All installed locations are added to a searchable map of locations on SDPD’s Technology website.  

By continuing to leverage cutting-edge technology, the City of San Diego is demonstrating its commitment to modernizing public safety measures while maintaining high standards for residents’ transparency and privacy.