https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a62044621/teslas-being-towed-by-police-to-collect-video-footage/ SearchSearchClose --------------------------------------------------------------------- * About Us * Join Now * All Access * R&T Experiences * Shop R&T * News * Reviews * Car Culture * Exclusives * Performance Car of the Year * Contact * Follow * Newsletter * Send Us a Tip Opt-Out IconYour Privacy Choices Privacy NoticeTerms Of Use Skip to Content Logo * News * Reviews * Culture * Exclusives * Gear Join Now sign in 1. News 2. Teslas Are Being Towed by Police to Collect On-Board Video Footage Teslas Are Being Towed by Police to Collect On-Board Video Footage Tesla's vehicles are equipped with an extensive array of cameras, and some cops are now using their footage to collect evidence of possible crimes. By Lucas BellPublished: Sep 03, 2024 12:35 PM EDT bookmarksSave Article tesla model 3 performance Tesla Tesla's cars and SUVs are outfitted with an extensive array of exterior and interior cameras, which the cars use for features ranging from driving aids to security monitoring. It's the latter feature that has caught the attention of law enforcement officers in Oakland, California, who have begun getting warrants for the footage captured by the vehicles -- even leading some owners' Teslas to be towed amid the department's efforts to secure high-quality video evidence. According to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland-area police officers have been leaning on Tesla vehicles as a source of potential evidence, thanks in part to the car's Sentry Mode function. This feature, which the automaker hopes will serve as an anti-theft technology, activates a Tesla's exterior cameras when movement is detected. And while the system isn't guaranteed to be active on every Tesla model at any given time, the cops aren't shy about asking for potential footage. Sergeant Ben Therriault, president of the Richmond Police Officers Association, told the Chronicle that these activities aren't uncommon among police today. He said offers often seek out video from Tesla vehicles for potential evidence, and while he says they often make direct contact with owners and get the evidence voluntarily, a warrant -- and a tow -- sometimes prove necessary, should contact not be established in a timely manner. (Therriault acknowledged to the Chronicle that a tow is "the most drastic thing you could do.") "When you have these cars on the roads that are constantly capturing information, even when they're parked, the police can look to them as a resource," Electronic Frontier Foundation staff attorney Saira Hussain told the Chronicle. "That obviously puts third parties -- people who are not involved at all -- in the crosshairs of investigations." According to the report, the Oakland Police Department has sought to secure a Tesla vehicle into evidence to obtain its stored video footage at least three times since July. All three incidents involved a second court order, in which the officers made reference to the vehicle's Sentry Mode capabilities. The footage secured from Tesla vehicles has reportedly helped the department in a number of recent investigations. That said, the use of this footage raises further questions about the growing presence of surveillance. Oakland police officials did not respond to the Chronicle's request for comment on the spike in Tesla-related warrants. Bottom line: if your Tesla disappears from your parking spot, it might just be worthwhile to check in with the local P.D. They might just have something to talk to you about. Related Stories * tesla motorsTesla Revealing Its Robotaxi on October 10th * a car on a roadWhistlinDiesel Puts Cybertruck through Hell * land vehicle, vehicle, car, automotive design, supercar, sports car, coupe, performance car, concept car, personal luxury car, Please Click This Story on Tesla Headshot of Lucas Bell Lucas Bell Associate Editor Born and raised in Metro Detroit, associate editor Lucas Bell has spent his entire life surrounded by the automotive industry. He may daily drive an aging Mustang, but his Porsche 944 and NB Miata both take up most of his free time. News indianapolis, in during indianapolis 500 practice in indianapolis, indiana photo by james black ims photo Larson Will Attempt Indianapolis 500 Double Again 2025 lucid motors mid size platform teaser Lucid Plans a $50,000 Mid-Size Car In 2026 2025 bentley flying spur Bentley's Flying Spur Is Going Plug-In Hybrid hennessey performance venom f5 m Hennessey Saves the Manual With the Venom F5-M Advertisement - Continue Reading Below john cena's 2015 ultima evolution You Can Buy John Cena's Ultima Evolution model 3 The 15 Cars With the Biggest Price Drop Since 2023 nissan skyline Massachusetts Denies Skyline Owner for Odd Reason adrian newey aston martin formula 1 Adrian Newey Joins Aston Martin F1 2025 acura performance ev concept Honda's Ohio Plant Is Turning Into an EV Hub ara hoonigan ken block cars Hoonigan Files for Bankruptcy, Cites $1.2B in Debt auto oct 30 motogp malaysia grand prix Honda's MotoGP Sponsor Repsol Is Breaking Ties tesla cybertruck in a parking lot Tesla Cybertruck Mocked in Viral Dealer TikTok Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Logo x youtube facebook instagram pinterest About UsNew CarsNewsPress RoomHow We Test CarsSend Us a TipCar RankingsNewsletterContact UsAdvertise OnlineCustomer ServiceGear and AccessoriesSubscribeCommunity GuidelinesMedia KitHearst Autos - A Part of Hearst Digital Media A Part of Hearst Digital Media We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. (c)2024 Hearst Autos, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSite Map Opt-Out IconYour Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads