Surveillance cameras are pervasive in many areas and Davis is not an exception. In reading this page, you will appreciate that there are some cameras probably appropriately deployed for security, as at ATMs and on the bus that was vandalized. Some are meant to protect property or against theft— e.g. Target. But some are just offensive and obtrusive. Whatever your position on surveillance cameras, this page at least is a testament to their raising some concern and people deserve to know of their presence.

As an example of obnoxious obtrusiveness, please consider surveillance cameras in public establishments. They are put there to mitigate against theft. A store with a camera believes you may steal from them. A restaurant with a camera believes there may be theft of supplies, money from a register, or alcohol from a bar (or rarely some incident such as an overly aggressive argument). So then why does Village Pizza and Grill have surveillance cameras on all of their tables!? We asked an employee and he said that possibly the owner doesn't trust his staff and places the camera so as to be able to see staff near the cash register. Interesting, then, that there are cameras in the small rooms of the restaurant far away from the register. These cameras are watching you, eating. Is that cool with you? When you look, you will see cameras in all major grocery stores and at many restaurants, watching you eat. At minimum these establishments might consider notifying patrons in writing that they're under surveillance. Perhaps they could also submit their justification? For fun, ask the manager next time you see a camera why and how. You're not going to get a lot of straight answers.

A growing list of commercial establishments with surveillance cameras:

I spoke with a former mayor of Davis, and he said that he knows that there are six cameras around the city of Davis. The only one he knew about watches the Richards Underpass tunnel for flooding. He said he would get back to me about the rest. But this should be a page for finding cameras on and off-campus. There are a zillion at the intersections around town, sometimes 5 or more. See also Red light cameras.

On Campus

The camera outside of the Freeborn Hall ticket office.

In Town

Surveillance Camera

  • Richards Underpass
    • Watches for flooding
  • All over the parking structure for Regal Cinemas Davis Stadium 5, as well as inside the lobby. Oddly enough, the indoor cameras only point to the employee stations though...
  • At almost every major intersection along 5th St... (L St., Pole Line Rd., etc.) Can anyone confirm that these actually working cameras?
    • They are for traffic observation only, they don't have a quality picture or a zoom at all.
  • Several in the alley behind Bistro 33.
  • There are at least three cameras at Davis High School.
  • There are many located all over Target. Security constantly monitors and zooms in on people. Please dress appropriately.
  • There are two fake security cameras at the Oak Tree Plaza on the side of Tutti Fruiti.
  • ATMs generally have them.

Migratory

  • On two of the 40' Gillig busses (4615 and 4616) used by Unitrans, to combat vandalism by junior high kids.

Davis High School

  • 2 on the Theatre building
    • SW Corner (Facing the parking lot)
    • NE wall (Above the loading dock roll up door)
  • One on the P buildings facing the Nova Quad
  • 2 on or near the quad

See also Web cams.

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