Milpitas Offers Free Doorbell Cameras to Residents

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The city of Milpitas, California, has approved $60,000 to provide free video doorbells to residents, one per household, as part of an effort to deter crime and improve the relationship between the community and local police. Residents will have the option to share footage with the police through a provided link, but officers will not have automatic access to the footage.

Why it matters

This program is part of a broader trend of cities using technology, such as surveillance cameras, to combat crime. While proponents argue it can deter criminal activity, critics raise concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse of the footage by law enforcement.

The details

The city's Assistant Police Chief Tyler Jamison stated that residents would choose whether to upload video to the police-provided link, and officers would not have automatic access to anyone's footage. Milpitas City Councilmember Evelyn Chua said the initiative is about 'strengthening crime prevention right where it matters most—at home'.

• The Milpitas City Council approved the $60,000 program in April 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The city plans to begin distributing the free video doorbells to residents on a first-come, first-served basis in the coming months.