from Hacker News

I helped write SF’s surveillance ordinance. London Breed is lying about it

by purplesnowflake on 12/29/21, 4:50 PM with 7 comments

• by justchilly1 on 12/29/21, 6:59 PM

  Both the mayor and the author of the ordinance (and SFGate op-ed) are playing semantics. Yes the police can access real-time video (i.e. without complex pre-approval process from board of supervisors), but only when there's imminent risk of "danger of death or serious physical injury."

  This of course hampers enforcement against quality of life crimes, but even for potentially violent crimes puts the police at risk of breaking the law if it's later determined that their use case didn't meet the criteria. It's very likely police officers are hesitant to use the tools at knowing the high likelihood of prosecution.

• by scotuswroteus on 12/29/21, 5:11 PM

  Jesus Christ this line:

  >"If Chief Scott is claiming that his hands are tied, it’s his fingerprints on the rope."

  Talk about tone deaf.