San Jose leaders propose crime-spying garbage trucks

SAN JOSE -- San Jose is considering an innovative way to catch car thieves. It involves the use of technology and garbage trucks and critics say, something doesn't smell right.

Those critics have some privacy concerns. The point of the proposal is to help the understaffed police force. The data would go directly to the police department but critics question how it will be collected, stored and used.

San Jose Councilman Johnny Khamis says the idea would help police identify stolen vehicles or those used in a crime. Since the garbage trucks are already on the road he says it would only cost a few thousand dollars a year.

"The garbage trucks make a trip down every street on every week, so it's a much better way to cover the entire city, all in one week," said Khamis

The garbage collection companies and their employees will not be able to access the information.

The proposal could go before the full city council in about two weeks.