The Freeway Security Network was established to reduce freeway shootings after a number of high profile freeway shootings on Interstate 80 and Highway 4 in 2016, with $3.5 million from the California State Transportation Agency. However the number of freeway shootings actually increased after the system was in place.
By October 2019, the Freeway Security Network was operating with 24 surveillance cameras, 165 Shotspotter microphones, and 32 automated license plate readers (ALPRs) installed along State Highway 4 and Interstate 80.
As part of the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Freeway Security Network, the CHP is required to submit an annual fiscal report documenting “the productivity of the Freeway Security Network in the investigation of freeway shootings, the recovery of felony vehicles, in Amber Alerts, in outside assists in criminal investigations and all other relevant data.”
To date, only one report has been submitted by the CHP to the California State Transportation Agency. The report shows that freeway shootings have actually increased since the Freeway Security Network became operational. According to the report, there were eight freeway shootings each in 2018 and 2019, but in just the first half of 2020, the number of freeway shootings increased to 14.
