Rohnert Park PD adds video registry to crime fighting toolkit

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. (KGO) -- Rohnert Park police are encouraging anyone with a security camera to join a new registry.

Restaurant owner Isidro Velasco told ABC7 News the best investment he ever made was four security cameras that watch over his restaurant.

The database in back of his restaurant records everything the camera sees. The cameras have come in handy when stuff behind the bar went missing.

"A couple of people stole bottles from the bar it help me a lot, Valasco said.

Valasco said he supports a plan by Rohnert Park police for a registry of security cameras to help them fight crime faster.

"Instead of spending an entire day walking block, the first place I would go to someone that's on this the database, knock on their door and they show me the evidence," said Jeff Taylor, a Rohnert Park police officer.

The program is strictly voluntary. Anyone with a camera can sign up.

Fremont and San Jose already have similar registries.

Last January, a security camera video identified a suspected serial arsonist in San Jose leading to his arrest.

But there are privacy concerns and how information will be used.

Accountant Christine Caperton works in this shopping center. She says safety outweighs everything else.

"We got too many invasive things," Caperton said. "Big brother watching, but there's already cameras everywhere you go."

Isidro Valasco and his cameras are on-duty.

"It will help tell the police who broke a window or did something bad and catch them right away," Valasco added.

Many say Rohnert Park is a small, safe city, and they'd like to keep it that way.