California Police Towing Teslas for Crime Scene Footage, Raising Privacy Concerns
September 3, 2024
Tesla owners in California are increasingly concerned as police are towing their vehicles from crime scenes to gather evidence.
Law enforcement has begun utilizing Tesla's Sentry Mode footage to aid investigations, often leading to the towing of vehicles when owners are unavailable.
Another incident involved a shooting outside a beauty supply shop, where police towed a Tesla Model X, resulting in two arrests.
In a separate case, a man was found seriously injured in his girlfriend's Tesla, prompting police to tow the vehicle for evidence.
While police can request footage directly from Tesla owners, they can also obtain a warrant if necessary, which may lead to towing.
In a recent incident, a Tesla recorded a shooting that assisted police in arresting two suspects charged with murder weeks later.
Equipped with numerous cameras and sensors, Teslas effectively serve as rolling surveillance devices, collecting extensive data about their surroundings.
The Oakland Police Department has specifically requested footage from Teslas parked near crime scenes to support their investigations.
This trend of police treating vehicles as internet-connected devices reflects a growing reliance on technology in law enforcement.
Concerns over privacy have been raised regarding Tesla's data collection practices, including past incidents where employees accessed user videos without consent.
Sergeant Ben Therriault of the Richmond Police Officers Association noted that police often seek video evidence from Tesla cars, making contact with owners when possible.
In one notable case, police located a Tesla parked near a homicide scene, which provided crucial footage for the investigation.
Summary based on 6 sources
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Sources

Gizmodo • Sep 4, 2024
Cops Are Towing Teslas to Recover Crime Scene Footage
Electrek • Sep 3, 2024
Tesla cars are now used like CCTV cameras by Oakland police
Jalopnik • Sep 3, 2024
Cops Are Now Towing Teslas For Evidence At Crime Scenes