Somersett’s Surveillance Mirage: High-Tech Cameras, Low-Tech Accountability
Our Town Reno’s social media post from July 28, 2025.
Michael Leonard - Mike's Reno Report - first pulled back the curtain on Somersett’s use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) — a high-tech surveillance system that sounds impressive on paper. These cameras scan and store every license plate that rolls into the neighborhood, supposedly adding a layer of security for residents. But when real-world danger showed up, the machines stayed silent, and so did the people in charge.
On July 28, Our Town Reno reported a troubling incident: a group of youths harassing young women outside a public bathroom at Somersett East Park. It's a serious allegation — one that should have prompted immediate concern from the Somersett Owners Association. But their only suggestion? "Call the police." That’s it.
An exchange between the Somersett Owners Association and a concerned citizen who also happens to have a huge online following.
The real question is: why didn’t the association make the call themselves?
They have the infrastructure. They have the footage — at least of vehicles. But apparently, if you’re riding a scooter or bike, Somersett’s expensive surveillance system can’t see you. And worse, their leadership doesn’t seem to see you either. Not if you’re a young woman facing harassment. Not if the incident falls outside the neat scope of plate readers and patrolling SUVs.
The Association’s response — or lack thereof — isn’t just a missed opportunity. It’s a statement. It tells residents loud and clear that their safety is not the priority. That liability, optics, and shifting responsibility matter more than action.
Somersett wants the credibility of cutting-edge security but can’t be bothered to act on basic accountability. Until they care more about protecting residents than posturing with surveillance tech, the cameras might as well be cardboard cutouts.
It’s not about whether you can track a bicycle. It’s about whether you give a damn.