Tesla’s built-in cameras have previously aided police in identifying criminals who key cars, but now the technology is being used to fight more serious crime.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Oakland Police Department is now leaning on Tesla’s Sentry Mode to catch potential killers, and it’s able to do so without the owner’s consent.
Sentry Mode records exterior activities when the car is locked and parked, acting not only as a deterrent to thieves but also as a way to gather evidence if the car is keyed or something is stolen within the camera’s line of vision.
According to the outlet, one Tesla owner returned to his vehicle in a hotel carpark to find police officers were attempting to take it away, claiming the car’s cameras may have captured a nearby homicide.
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While officers commonly make a direct request with owners to download footage captured by the Sentry Mode cameras, Sgt. Ben Therriault, president of the Richmond Police Officers Association, told the publication that they have also resorted to towing a vehicle after obtaining a search warrant.
At least three incidents have reportedly resulted in police requesting to tow a Tesla in order to obtain the footage from its cameras.
In the case of the carpark homicide, the Tesla’s owner returned to their car as it was being loaded onto a tow truck but had it released after offering to provide access to the Sentry Mode system.
As reported in April, Tesla rolled out an update to the popular Model 3 and Model Y which allows North American owners to preview Sentry Mode recordings on Apple iPhones.
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