Rialto police push back against John Oliver's critique of camera-sharing program
The Rialto Police Department refuted John Oliver’s accusations on HBO that it forces businesses to give police access to private security cameras.
On a recent episode of “Last Week Tonight,” John Oliver criticized the Rialto Police Department’s use of the private-camera platform Fusus, claiming the agency coerces businesses into sharing footage. Capt. Lamont Quarker countered that no permit has ever been withheld for non-participation and that officers walk owners through the technology and its privacy protections before any decision is made. He emphasized that participation is voluntary and that the city may soon require only a discussion of the program rather than any commitment.
Quarker highlighted several successes, including a rapid robbery arrest aided by live camera feeds. The department also acknowledged that sending a 30,413-page paper dump to Oliver’s team was an error, though it maintained that the records simply show cameras available on monitors, not continuous officer viewing. Overall, Rialto maintains that the system improves public safety while respecting privacy safeguards.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights how police use of private surveillance raises questions about privacy, consent, and public-safety benefits.
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