East Bay mayors seek resources from governor to stop freeway shootings

RICHMOND, Calif. (KGO) -- Five East Bay mayors are sending a letter to the governor asking for help with resources to help stop a series of freeway shootings. The mayors called this an emergency situation, but they admit this letter is just the first step in a long process to secure East Bay highways.

RELATED: 5 East Bay mayors ask Gov. Brown for help after another highway shooting

An innocent shooting victim had a window shattered on her vehicle Tuesday night on I-80 in Hercules. Her story is just one of the many reasons mayors from Hercules, El Cerrito, San Pablo, Richmond and Pinole gathered Thursday morning.

Mayor Dan Romero of Hercules drafted a letter to send to Governor Jerry Brown requesting help.

RELATED: Shooting shuts down EB lanes of I-80 in Hercules

"We in government, we have to ensure residents feel safe, and I think this is the first step about public safety today," said Mayor Romero.

Despite some disagreement over details, all five mayors approved and signed the letter. It asks for money to install cameras on exit ramps that would photograph license plates and funding to upgrade current Caltrans cameras so they can start recording traffic.

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"We want to stop the shootings on all of our Bay Area freeways," said San Pablo Mayor Rich Kinney.

Since November the CHP says there have been 28 shootings on five highways. Four people died, 12 others were injured. When asked the best case timeline for camera upgrades on East Bay freeways, Mayor Romero said this: "Actually I have no idea. I know the governor understands problems, the authority to get this done, so I would like this done as soon as possible."

Law enforcement officials said the shootings are gang related and they're increasing patrols over the upcoming holiday weekend.