San Mateo just approved $150k out of the park's budget to buy 6 surveillance cameras without a competitive bid.

Six people spoke against it during public comment, and nobody spoke in favor.

When staff responded to the public comments, council was told "the video footage is not hosted in a cloud" and there is "no public access to these cameras." Minutes later, she said that police and park rangers "could log on within a few minutes to look at that camera."

• These cameras are run through Verkada's cloud-based software and can be viewed "from any supported browser or device," and the contract includes a cellular modem for each camera to keep it online.
• In 2021, a hacker got access to over 150,000 Verkada customer cameras.
• The contract with the vendor does not mention data, privacy, sharing, or security anywhere.
• The police video policy says facial recognition "may be considered," and that the department "should evaluate whether the use of … analytical technology requires additional safeguards." When the Mayor asked whether the camera policy is posted anywhere, staff said "I'm not sure if it is there."
• Staff said facial recognition and person of interest alerts are not used in the playground; however there is no policy in place to review whether a vendor or user enables those features at a later time (as happened with Mountain View's Flock cameras)

The cameras aren't directly the problem, it's the near total lack of governance, oversight, and controls. If you think there should be some form of written policy on who can watch, search, and share video of kids at the playground, you can email the council at [citycouncil@cityofsanmateo.org](mailto:citycouncil@cityofsanmateo.org)

Noticed that Monday night's council meeting (staff report, contract) features, on the consent calendar, a purchase of 5 Verkada CH52 cameras. Those cameras list, on their features page that they support "People search, attribute search, face search, occupancy trends, motion search, trajectory analysis, selective face blurring, AI-powered search".

The cameras are specifically being installed onto the playground area to monitor children using the park, with cameras aimed to "capture the entirety of the playground complex". And the staff report says that the cameras will "provide real-time video to law enforcement should a child go missing", while the Real Time Information Center policy says that RTIC members "are authorized to proactively monitor cameras streaming in public spaces" -- that document defines "members" as "any person employed or appointed by the San Mateo Police Department" including "non-sworn employees" and "volunteers".

Even if the city says they don't use face recognition today, our video surveillance policy says the department "may elect to integrate" its cameras with "facial recognition and other video-based analytical systems".

In our plate reader systems, the department has stated that they do periodic audits to review access logs and sharing settings. For video surveillance, however, the only audit prescribed is a once-yearly review of cost, benefit, effectiveness, and prosecutions -- it does say that "Supervisors should monitor video surveillance access and usage", the should isn't mandatory, and there's no specified interval. The only access log it specifies is the guest list for the RTIC room, not any of the actions of the RTIC staff.

Is anyone else having issues with the construction on S Delaware? I live in the Bermuda Dr apartments, and I know there’s not anything I can do but the construction literally blocks the gate to my apartment and there’s no other entrance I can go through.

Hi everyone!

I am planning on moving to San Mateo/surrounding areas hopefully by January 2026. For context, I am in my 20s, looking for a relatively safe area, preferably closer to caltrain and pest free & clean (I’ve had lots of bad experiences with roaches, pests etc in the past).

My budget is 4k max, here is a list of what I currently have, but would appreciate recommendations or reviews if anyone currently lives in these apartments:

-Addison at CP: https://www.addisonatcp.com

-Alta de Sabla: https://www.rutherfordliving.com/apartments/ca/san-mateo/alta-de-sabla/?utm_source=GBP&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GBP

-Hanover Burlingame: https://www.hanoverburlingame.com

-Park Laurel Apts: https://www.zillow.com/apartments/san-mateo-ca/park-laurel-apartments/CjgH4h/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

Also have a few other small one units on my list but these are the main ones!

Thanks so much!

I’m looking for recommendations for grocery stores in or around San Mateo that have a good selection of imitation meats (plant-based/mock meats).

I’m specifically interested in the kinds used in Asian cooking, such as mock chicken, beef, pork, fish, and other vegetarian meat substitutes commonly used in Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean, or Southeast Asian dishes.

I’m hoping to find places that carry more than just the usual Beyond or Impossible products — things like frozen mock meats, soy-based products, seitan, and other traditional Asian vegetarian ingredients.

I’m aware of Layonna’s in Oakland, but it’s a bit of a trek over the bridge, and they close at 5 p.m., which can be difficult to work around. I was hoping to find somewhere closer to San Mateo with a good selection.

Any recommendations for Asian supermarkets, specialty vegetarian grocery stores, or smaller markets in San Mateo or nearby cities would be greatly appreciated!

Not sure why this video is unlisted, incredibly informative, and focused just on Dave Johnson, Adam Loraine, and Dana Yates Sahae

Ya’ll, something is eating the posts/top of our fence. Squirrels? Rats? It’s bizarre. Any ideas?

I may be picking up regular lap swimming in the near future so wanted to see if anyone had experience or recommendations on the options in the area. I'd generally be looking to go mid-afternoon (3p-6p or so) on weekdays, with the odd day being earlier. I'm not terribly interested in other gym stuff or programs, so that wouldn't be an influence.

The main two options seem to be CSM and Peninsula Y. CSM is slightly more convenient to me, and has more lanes, but Peninsula YMCA is less expensive and opens up access to YMCAs elsewhere. The city pools aren't convenient locations for me, and I haven't found much in the way of other options nearby.

The biggest thing I'm wondering about is lane availability as I know I'd be looking at going during one of the more popular time windows, followed by things like swimmer etiquette, locker room condition and security, and parking.

I want to host a meetup for MTG. Open to something in SF, near SF, or preferably local in San Mateo since I live in San Mateo. Who’s interested? This is for next Saturday, 10/24.

Anyone know what work is being done on Pacific Blvd./S. Delaware around the Hillsdale Blvd. interchange? As of this past Monday, S. Delaware is closed in front of Roblox HQ. Seems like they've been doing work up and down the street for the past year now.

Recommend me some place in San Mateo that makes vegetarian nachos similar to Pancho Villa’s but not from Pancho Villa. Lots of avocado, no queso or orange cheese.

I was chatting with one of the baristas the a couple of days ago and she mentioned that they’re opening up a new shop in the new Rec Center (when it’s done) in Foster City. Not sure when that will be.

I have a feeling it will be hella packed. It’s a bit out of my way for when I go to the current spot, so I probably won’t go. But I’m looking forward to the current location not being so crowded.

I'm a San Mateo resident organizing another free My Curious Life event in town on Tuesday and you’re invited.

It's called "What Happens Next?" The idea is simple: Bring one odd or mysterious object from home that might make someone ask, "What the heck is THAT?" Keep it a secret until we get together. We'll take it from there!

Please join us for an afternoon of laughter, surprises, a little nonsense, and a chance to meet some new people.

Tuesday, October 20, 1:30 to 3:00 PM
Station Park Green, San Mateo

No object? Come anyway! No experience or special skills needed.

Come on your own and you may leave with new friends!

It's completely free. For more details and to RSVP visit:  https://www.mycuriouslife.org

Hope you will join us!

Marcia

Hey all - my daughter's getting close to pre-school age and wanted to start thinking about schools a little more.

I was wondering do schools in the SMFCSD have scheduled open houses or admission events? We're assigned to George Hall and I'd love to get a closer look at it before make any decisions. We also live pretty close to College Park and have heard good things.

I've tried looking for events on the SMFCSD calendar, but didn't see anything relevant

Did anyone see or happen to capture dash cam of a motor cycle rear ending a grey RX (me) this morning (10/14)? He kinda flew up against my rear windshield so it would be pretty identifiable if you did see. Southbound 101 near Holly St, was in the far left express lane.

Trying to get a witness or something for CHP and my insurance. Major bummer cause i’m feeling more banged up than I thought this evening now and they’re asking for the other motorist involved for claims but i can’t identity

He nearly rear ended me 3 times as traffic slowed/sped up and was following way too close and then finally did rear end me hard enough to fly off his motor cycle when traffic in front of me slowed up a little more. Since we were in the left / express lane, I immediately tried to pull all the way over to the shoulder on the right so no one else piled up or hit us and made a bigger accident. Somehow shortly after i parked on shoulder and called CHP, he got up got back on like nothing happened and just fled. Looked right at me pulled over on shoulder as he passed and just kept going. Super lame.

I was on the phone with CHP as he passed so I was only able to get a really shitty picture of the plate that doesn’t really show much

Does anyone have any dash cam from around that time? Or photo-enhancing skills/ways to pull a better plate view off a blurry pic?

Please message me if you do

Any recommendations for a nail tech who does mobile manicures and pedicures? For my 88 yr old mom, in a wheelchair, in her senior home, in Belmont.

My husband and I are potentially relocating to the area from Michigan for a job opportunity in San Francisco. We don’t want to live in the city, and when you google where best to live for families San Mateo always tops the list.
The rent sticker shock is intense and I’m overwhelmed at what a reasonable budget floor is for rent out there.
Are there any complexes people would recommend? Areas? Is $3,500 for a one bedroom too low of a ceiling?

Hello, currently live in San Mateo but open to any local recommendations.
I drive a Toyota Camry and need new rear brake pads. I went to get a quote at a local shop already and was quoted $280 (supposedly gave me a discounted price) just for the rear pads. Seemed kinda steep to me but idk. Any suggestions??

Update: Ended up going to the 1st shop and paid $280. I’m used to buying the parts and my dad installing them so I just wasn’t familiar with typical prices, especially in the bay area. Thanks for the suggestions tho.

Are there any organizations in the area that are likely to want a donated like-new basic wheelchair? Ideally something downtown but open to any suggestions in the area. Thanks!

Thought this might be of interest to some folks https://voterforce.ai/transit-cuts/