Police Chief Scott Kirkland began toying with the idea of camera surveillance in 2005, but after an owner of the Red Onion restaurant on San Pablo Avenue was killed during a robbery April 24, he decided to make it happen.

He wants to develop a list of digital cameras, lenses and media storage for business owners to install. Older, tape-based systems are not useful in identifying criminals, Kirkland said.

Before he asks the City Council to turn his proposal into law later this summer, Kirkland plans to hold three community forums this month to get feedback.

City spokeswoman Suzanne Iarla said information on camera prices and types will be available at the forums.

Kirkland wants the cameras installed in all retail and wholesale businesses that require a use permit, including liquor stores, gun shops, pawnshops, check-cashing outlets and fast-food restaurants. Not all businesses require a use permit.

Sewall Glinternick, manager of El Cerrito's Chamber of Commerce, said surveillance cameras are a hot topic among the group's 250 members.

"I'm not prepared to tell if this plan is worth (its) salt yet, but I sure as heck am going to listen to it," Glinternick said. "All we know is we had some businesspeople killed in a botched robbery in April, and there are serious concerns in the business community about that killing, especially in a community like this with a high murder rate.

"When a businessman hears another businessman gets killed, he starts wondering how safe he is. I don't know any business that won't be interested, assuming this project is doable."

Glinternick said he is glad the chief is thinking of ways to catch and deter criminals.

Stores would be required to install one camera per cash register and one at each entrance or exit, loading dock, parking lot or other "vulnerable" area, such as an employee break room. Failure to comply could result in fines or revocation of business permits.

City Councilwoman Janet Abelson said she has not heard from any of her constituents about the plan and just learned about it recently from the city manager.

"I think that there is a definite problem with crime in our area," Abelson said. "I'm really excited to see that the chief is looking for ways to solve the problem, and he's taking advantage of technology to do that."

Abelson said she thinks the cameras not only will help police catch criminals after a crime but also will make them think twice before breaking the law.

"A criminal might say, 'Oh, this is going to be too hard, I'm not going to do it,' and that's what we want," Abelson said. "We don't want them doing it to begin with."

E-mail Doug Oakley of the East Bay Daily News at doakley@ebdailynews.com.

IF YOU GO

Three community meetings are scheduled on Police Chief Scott Kirkland's video surveillance plan for El Cerrito businesses. They will be held from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., July 18 at the Denny's Restaurant banquet room, 11344 San Pablo Ave.; noon to 1 p.m., July 19 at the Community Center Skylight Room, 7007 Moeser Lane; and 6 to 7 p.m., July 23 at the Del Norte Place Apartments community room, 11720 San Pablo Ave.

Original article posted by the contra costa times - http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_6327320