"The presence of privately owned surveillance cameras and the availability of the footage made the arrests of the suspects and the seizure of the firearm in this case possible," Liu said.

The sheriff's office should require background checks and 20 hours mandatory training about privacy laws, camera laws, and stalking/harassment laws for residents participating in a voluntary camera share. Right now the sheriff will probably take camera footage from any one of the dozens of residents who abuse their tech to stalk so-called "suspects" on the internet and in public, including residents who become so enraged at pedestrians that resemble a suspect on their camera that they are willing to threaten with weapons or threaten unnecessary legal action. The sheriff's office is actually demonstrating their incompetency and promoting camera mobs. I have been violently threatened and/or assaulted on a monthly basis in the area - often in front of local security cameras. Those suspects usually get caught for separate,unrelated crimes weeks or months later. The sheriff's office appears to be neglectful or incompetent in all those incidents. This story is actually alarming.

I can get all the info I need about area crime by spending time outdoors.

NA:

There is ZERO expectation of privacy when in public. That means you can be recorded when in public and the video shared with whomever the recorder pleases. It's not "stalking". I suggest you look up the actual language of the stalking laws and educate yourself. You should also look at the Supreme court decisions that established the lack of an expectation of privacy in public. The Sheriff's department is using a useful tool to do their job.

Exactly what MenloVoter said. The sheriff's department is using a tool and using it well. The camera owners are voluntarily giving the footage to the police, as they can not force the users to give it up without a subpoena which I suspect would be very difficult to obtain. Anytime you are out in public expect your actions are being recorded and act appropriately. I am willing to bet there are thousands of Ring Doorbells recording in Menlo Park alone as well as lots of home security systems with cameras. They are a very useful tool for catching illegal activities and helping prevent break-ins and other property crimes.

If you are violently threatened or assaulted on a monthly basis, I would first wonder what exactly you are doing, but I would recommend you call the police the next time that happens as violent threats or physical assault is illegal,