Residents concerned about giving SJPD camera access
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- San Jose is launching an innovative crime-fighting network -- one that relies on private home security cameras that could help with investigations. However, some residents are worried that the network could give the city the power to snoop in on them.
Because city resources are stretched so thin, San Jose is getting creative. They are asking people with home or business security cameras to let the police know who they are, in the event they need to turn to them, for help with solving a crime.
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said, "We all know we don't have as many officers as we want or need in this city."
It's a challenge that isn't lost on Liccardo. Since taking office, he's been searching for ways to maximize limited resources. One of those ideas is the launch of a voluntary security camera registry that allows people to go online and notify San Jose police that they have cameras on their homes or businesses.
"This is something that can help us make the arrest on those burglaries. This is so critical because it's often just two or three arrests that will take care of an entire spike of burglaries, because we know it's a small number of burglars that are committing a lot of crime," Liccardo said.
Agave Mexican Grill owner Mike Miranda thinks it's a great idea. Since installing 12 cameras on his property alone, he's seen a decrease in vandalism nearby.
"It's more like a third eye, you can say, especially with San Jose being short-staffed with the police officers, I think this will definitely help," Miranda said.
Tony Gutierrez is the General Manager at Axis, a residential high-rise located downtown. He plans to go before his homeowner's association to tell them about the program. He told ABC7 News, "Anything we can do to help law enforcement. If there is an incident that happens in the area, I think it's beneficial that they know who has cameras and who may have caught something on tape."
Some critics call it Big Brother, but Liccardo says it's not even close. This just gives police access to a database that they can search for cameras in an area where a crime may have occurred.
"If you don't get the video tape right away, it's lost for all time. This provides us an easy means to ensure the evidence is collected," Liccardo said.
