Laserfiche WebLink
File Number: 13-430 <br />The Police Department currently has limited use of video monitoring in the below areas: <br />1.Police Department (Internal, including the jail) <br />2.Police Department (External, including parking areas) <br />The effective use of public safety cameras can increase a police department’s ability to <br />control, reduce and prevent crime. Local municipalities already have or are considering <br />strategic placement of public safety cameras to enhance current public safety and crime <br />prevention programs and deter illegal activities. Public safety cameras provide for greater <br />coverage of a geographical area than police department personnel can provide. Public safety <br />cameras can also be used as a force multiplier, enhancing a Police Department’s ability to <br />better utilize its staffing resources . For example, public safety cameras provide for: <br />1.Strong evidence to support prosecution. Public safety camera views can provide <br />visual evidence of crimes in progress and/or the evidence left behind leading to <br />prosecutable arrests. <br />2.Enhanced crime prevention. Public safety cameras are effective as a crime <br />prevention strategy through deterrence of criminal acts. Several examples are listed <br />below: <br />a.City of Pittsburg, CA installed 5 cameras in 2005 and increased to a total of 86 <br />cameras in 2013. From 2004 to 2011, they experienced a 22.5% reduction in <br />part I crime. To date, they have a 20% decrease in Part 1 crime compared to <br />2004. Since 2005, overall violent crime has declined 46.7%. Pittsburg credits the <br />cameras to being a major factor in crime reduction, along with Redevelopment, <br />increased community partnerships, and effective officer-deployment strategies. <br />b.City of Fairfield, CA has had cameras for 5 years and currently has 100 <br />cameras. Video from these cameras has been used to solve homicides and also <br />a recent high profile kidnapping/ murder case. <br />c.City of Martinez, CA has 12 cameras and reports a reduction in crime in areas <br />with cameras. <br />d.City of Richmond, CA has over 70 cameras which have assisted in solving <br />street crimes. <br />e.City of Fresno, CA has over 150 cameras and has been credited to solving <br />major crimes. The program has been in place since 2006. The cameras have <br />captured a shooting and have deterred crime. <br />f.City of Ripon, CA installed over 70 cameras and captured dozens of crimes and <br />has assisted in capturing suspects and solving crime. <br />g.Alameda County, CA installed cameras in seven locations. The cameras have <br />been of great assistance, providing direct evidence and leads in solving crime. <br />In the last year, the cameras have helped solve many crimes including a felony <br />assault on an officer . <br />Both Fairfield and Richmond allow the public to fund a portion or all of a camera for a location <br />approved by the police department. <br />Page 2 City of San Leandro Printed on 8/27/2013