City of Reno Votes For Mobile Surveillance Cameras Along Truckee River

Despite fierce opposition from some quarters of the community and a no vote from council member Meghan Ebert, the City Council today approved a $102,000 contract for mobile surveillance cameras to monitor public spaces, including two along the Truckee River, with one expected to operate year-round.

Ebert said people enjoying the river should not be subject to being surveilled, but other council members and staff had no qualms about this. Instead the ignored council member said money could be used to buy more dumpsters.

Some advocates for the unhoused say this type of surveillance unjustly targets the poor or those without stable shelter who spend a lot of time along the river.

City staff said the 20 feet tall cameras would help rangers prevent unauthorized camping while a staff report indicated the goal of the mobile camera trailer units was to monitor river adjacent locations to reduce trash, debris, and illegal dumping from entering the Truckee River.

Funding is coming from the Truckee River fund grant and the city of Reno’s Clean and Safe Program.

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