Milpitas Launches Free Home Security Camera Program

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The city of Milpitas has approved $60,000 to launch a new home security camera program, offering free doorbell and exterior cameras to residents in an effort to deter package thefts and assist police investigations. The cameras will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with roughly 300-500 units available. The program aims to improve neighborhood safety and crime prevention, though it has raised some privacy concerns that officials say they are working to address.

Why it matters

Home security cameras have become an increasingly common tool for fighting neighborhood crime, but their use has also sparked debates over privacy and surveillance. Milpitas' new program seeks to balance public safety with residents' privacy rights, providing free cameras to interested households while making participation voluntary and data sharing with police optional.

The details

Milpitas residents have been calling the police department in high numbers to inquire about the new home security camera program since the City Council approved $60,000 in funding last month. The cameras, which will include both doorbell and exterior models, will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The city opted against using Ring cameras due to privacy concerns, and is instead considering non-subscription options like Eufy, Tapo, Reolink and Aqara. Details on the distribution process and data storage are still being finalized, but officials say residents will need to go through a verification process and agree to certain requirements for maintaining the devices. Sharing footage with police will be voluntary, though residents who do so will be asked to upload it to a secured police database.

• The Milpitas City Council approved $60,000 for the home security camera program last month.
• The city plans to announce details on how residents can obtain the free cameras through social media in the coming weeks.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The city will finalize details on the camera distribution process and data storage policies in the coming weeks before launching the program. Officials say they will closely monitor the program's impact on local crime rates, and may seek additional funding to expand the camera distribution if demand remains high.