SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — The debate over privacy versus public safety is taking center stage in the South Bay. It centers around the Chula Vista Police Department's drone program as well other crime-fighting technologies.
Thursday night, dozens of Chula Vista residents turned out for the second of two public forums to air their concerns over how the city uses technology to collect data and how that data is used.
Members of Chula Vista's Technology and Privacy Advisory Task Force, made up of 12 volunteer community members, were also on hand to gather the public's feedback. They have been working since April to create a series of recommendations that will eventually be presented to city leaders.
"The city does have robust regulations and guidelines with which we protect the data that we collect," said Chula Vista's Chief Sustainability Officer, Dennis Gakunga. "This is an opportunity for us to do a better job."
Since 2018, the Chula Vista Police Department has used drones to provide eyes in the sky for the officers on the ground. While it's meant to provide safety, it's also causing privacy concerns.
The Chula Vista Police’s drone program was the first in the country to receive FAA approval allowing police to look at anything from above that is outside their line of sight.
Collecting that information has caused concern from some people living in Chula Vista. Even though you can see some of the drone flight data online, some fear officers could be using the drones for surveillance or spying.
The task force said these meetings will feature small group discussions on potential policy recommendations, including the possibility of establishing a permanent privacy advisory commission. This would create new limits on data collection and data retention, and require special review of any city technology project that could have an impact on privacy.
The task force will present an initial policy recommendation to city council towards the end of this year.
Then the city council must vote on it and if they adopt it, they will draft a new policy with rules and regulations in hopes that both the police and people living in Chula Vista will feel more safe.
There are several Task Force meetings scheduled, including one on Monday, August 1. The public is welcome to attend and participate. For more information, click here.