As I am concerned about the number of burglaries in my area, license plate recognition carmeras I do not feel are the answer. Anyone coming to commit a crime is going to have fake plates or when they find out aboutvthe cameras will get fake plates. The cameras in the end are none effective and nothing more than a violation of are rights. I understand that contra costa is losing sherrifs at an alarming rate because they do not know how to pay a competitive salary. We should start by finding volunteers or create more community watch programs. Get out and meet your neighbors, increase public awareness and help those in your community. Cameras are not the answer.
Signed,
Resident

While this sounds so like Big Brother living where we do and being the appitizer for so many of the street thugs from other areas, this may be necessary. I wish it wasn't but the reality is that we have a sub-cluture that feels if you have somthing they want and they don't have it they have the right to take it. This grows out of the entitlement culture where many have received all of their needs from the government for their entire life so its only natural for some to think that they deserve to take what they want without having to work for it. Sad state of affairs that never seems to gain any traction or discussion.

I agree. Cameras are not a good idea as they further dilute our freedom and privacy rights. Criminals will get around them with stolen or no plates. The real solution is to repeal Prop 47 which made it easier for criminals to commit crimes and made all law abiding citizens less safe and more vulnerable to theft. You deter crime with swift prosecution and stiff sentences. Prop 47 only encourages more crime. It is time to admit this social experiment didn't work and go back to common sense law and order basics. If you do the crime, be prepared to do the time.

Cameras for license plate recognition and home surveillance cameras has proven in other locations (Fremont as I recall) to reduce burglaries and other crimes in neighborhoods working with local law enforcement. This does help and will reduce crime by capturing the perpetrators more often than not. It will not solve all crime but is a good tool. As for privacy - the cameras should only be used on public areas not homes which is where privacy must be respected. I go for helping law enforcement today in ways that will prove beneficial. Cameras are one source to help them. Knowing the model and year and color of a car and the license plate (even if stolen) will help as the criminals will keep using that car until it is of no value. So this aids in catching them.

Great idea. Much as I don't like the idea of Big Brother watching me, since I'm not driving my car into neighborhoods and breaking into homes, I have nothing to fear. We've seen crime creeping into our area (especially in the easy freeway access areas), and we need to protect ourselves. Cameras have helped reduce crime and catch criminals in other areas.

Bob and resident, you give crooks waaaay too much credit for thinking things through. Property theft isn't "Oceans 11" or Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. It's people with low intellect and poor impulse control acting on what appears to be low hanging fruit.

Bill, I get that you want to thump your political tub, but you are aware that crime has always existed, aren't you? In fact, crime was far worse before the "entitlement culture" you believe in ever existed. (Do you personally know any members of this "culture" or are you simply repeating snappy, focus-group tested soundbites?)

Reality alert: The property crime rate in California is half what it was thirty years ago. Violent crime is down by half as well. There has been no increase in attacks on police officers in the past year. The fear peddlers of the right wing are lying to you.

Think about it -- most crooks are not bright. Also, they tend to go after easy targets. Even placing "Danville uses license plate recognition technology" signs at every entrance to town -- whether we actually have them or not -- would probably cause 50%+ of potential crooks to head for another town (except those who can't read/understand the signs). You could even put fake cameras up and make them very visible - some crooks would go elsewhere.

So why not just install red-light or toll cameras? What's the difference? Collect revenue with your handy dandy new toys and make them pay for themselves. The license plate recognition horse left the barn a while ago...

Bad idea. This information gets sold to and/or given to data marketers who combine it with other personally identifiable information that is used to build personal profiles of consumers -- where you traveled and when; how often, etc. and there is currently no regulation of how this information can be used.

Pay attention to who is in your neighborhood. Make sure that you stay vigilant and lock your doors. Criminals work fast and have an exit strategy. The last two thugs that robbed a Danville resident got away. Maybe they had a stolen vehicle so reading the license plates didn't do a bit of good. I think it is a waste of taxpayers money. Its just one more thing that makes the police think they have it under control when they don't cause there aren't enough of them. San Ramon has their own police department and they are understaffed too. I would rather they spend our money on hiring more police/sheriffs.

Why don't they just gate the whole city and put up guards? That will be the next step when the license plate recognition cameras don't eliminate all crime against property. People are so willing to give up privacy for a false sense of security. Lock your doors people. Turn on your alarm if you want to be extra careful. Pay your insurance. And then relax. It's just stuff and it can be replaced. I am so happy to have moved out of "the bubble". Loving living in Oakland.

Can facial recognition be far behind?

Having worked closely with NICB and law enforcement agencies over the last 25 years, I can tell you that license plate recognition cameras, and installing outside public security cameras will reduce crime and help catch criminals. There is a reason law enforcement agencies, including our own, are pushing for more public video cameras to help protect law abiding citizens.

"Peter Kluget" is wrong in claiming that "property crime is done by people with poor intellect and poor impulse control...who are going after low hanging fruit", implying that simple prevention like locking your car doors and not leaving your keys in the car will stop alleged unsophisticated juveniles who are responsible for auto thefts. There has been a large increase in the last few years in wealthy towns and cities of auto theft, as organized and sophisticated criminals use advanced technologies and strategies to steal cars, where the bigger target is not the car itself but what is inside the car: items that allow them to steal your identity and sell the information on the black internet. They are going after information that is often in the glove box, your registration, your proof of insurance, copies of old gas credit car receipts, etc. With this and other information, the crime they are really after is the lucrative identity theft, and the car is an afterthought. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S. and that is why auto thefts are up so much in wealthy towns and cities.

As criminals get more advanced technology and more sophisticated, so must our law enforcement agencies. Crimes are repeatedly solved and successfully prosecuted by the use of public video cameras that show the person, the date, the time, the location, of the criminal. As any attorney will tell you, "a photo tells a thousand words", the last being "guilty". We must be proactive to fight crime.

I will never understand why liberals like "Peter Kluget" are always against whatever "the real police" request to fight crime, while they support the "water police" and "burning logs police" intrusions into their privacy rights. It is similar to claiming "ISIS is contained" and not doing anything to fight terrorist. Terrorist and criminals are getting more advanced technology, and smarter and more successful, and we need to give our real law enforcement and military the tools and weapons they need to keep us law abiding citizens safe.

As wary as I am about "Big Brother", I am in favor of these cameras.

I can see it now:
Theft starts to drive into Danville, but sees the sign "License Plate Recognition Cameras ahead".
So he parks his car at a gas station, then WALKS into the neighborhood.

One hour later, the camera shows him walking out with a big bag of loot carried over his shoulder and a snarky smile on his face.....thinking "they didn't get my license plate number!!! I'm home free.

No, they are not smart!

Tine for "what you going do when they call for you...."

However, one question is will the cameras be hidden or disclosed (and with signage)?

IOMO, I think it should be mandated that there be clear and reasonable signage and also indication of the exact location of the cameras.

Reminds me of that great Jeff Daniels rant in The Newsroom -- "We didn't used to scare so easy." Web Link

Crime rate's negligible, but still afraid? Don't want to get robbed?

Get a dog.

Even a little one sounds ferocious behind a closed door -- thieves hate noise and will move on down the road. Or you could get a Yorkie or Chi that really Would rip the throat out of an intruder (or at least his knee).

This is a groundbreaking and excellent idea ! We all know criminals from other cities register and have valid drivers licenses and plates with the DMV. So this is perfect. NOT !

Here's ANOTHER solution for the Danville PD: Now this is GROUNDBREAKING...

Actually patrol the streets instead of sitting at stop signs on El Capitan Drive after rush hour waiting for all us working folk to not stop for a full 3 seconds on our way to pick up our kids. Brilliant eh !! Perhaps patrol my neighborhood where there have been numerous thefts in the last several months. Maybe do your job and show up to a call within 2 hours when someone reports a stranger walking the streets with an ipad at 11pm. Thats not a license plate issue. That's simply a dereliction of duty.

The Danville PD is only good for stop sign tickets and cuffing and hog tying Diabetics slipping into a coma, in which they don't bother to read the MEDICAL bracelet on his wrist and only be the grace of God his brother was present to call an ambulance that saved his life. The Police thought he was "blotto." Despite his friends shouting that he was sick and his blood sugar was low and to READ his bracelet. They hog tied him and threw him in their patrol car. Only because I was still in the locker room after a game a friend of his came running in panic telling me he was going into a coma and the Danville PD was about to take him away, in which he would have died sitting in a jail cell.

Trust me. Born and raised. I've lived here for 44 years and I could tell you many more stories about their terrible job of protecting us. The Danville PD is terrible and their priorities are laughable. This is just another example of how inept they are and trying to gain our confidence in them. Sorry. But true.

David,

As deplorable of police action as that incident was (and I've seen it too), this is a DIFFERENT ISSUE altogether.
(It is important to not mix the issues and use emotional logic.)

The Entrance Cameras concept is still a valid idea for good police work on substantial crimes.
It needs to be considered.

PS,
Let me shorten my point...'Crime Prevention' exploration by the Danville PD is fine and dandy. But before spending $$$$ on this technology, first they should step up their efforts doing the basics like patrolling known trouble spots and responding to ACTUAL calls from its citizens in a timely manner. I think that is the best 'Crime Prevention' as of now for Danville. I don't think that's unreasonable expectation or position to take.

Hi David,

First off, I am sorry to hear about what happened to your friend. I am unfamiliar with the medical situation you are describing. Please contact me so that I can learn more about this incident and have the opportunity to take corrective action as warranted.

In regard to the general operations of the police department, as a resident of Danville for the last 44 years you are exactly the type resident who I love to hear from. You have seen public safety evolve, for better or worse, in your community for many years. The Danville Police Department wants to provide services in a way that best matches the needs of the community. As a resident, we work for you and the police department belongs to you.

There are a variety of ways that we can learn from you:

Several times a year we offer a Citizen’s Academy that gives a first-hand look at the way your police department polices the community. During those sessions I meet with the attendees and solicit feedback about what priorities the community has and how best to serve those priorities.
You can ride with an officer and see from a front row seat how your police department operates. After a ride-a-long, we would debrief and hear your constructive feedback. We also host a Danville PD Open House every other year. During the event, I speak with the attendees to hear what priorities the community has. You can also read our comprehensive Annual Report given to the Town Council each March. These reports contain all of our activity for the year prior, including department priorities, crime statistics, arrests, community outreach, etc. The reports can be viewed here:

Web Link

Last but certainly not least, since being selected as the Chief of Police in 2010 I have maintained a very open door policy. You can come to the police department at any time to speak with me. In addition, my email address is ssimpkins@danville.ca.gov and our telephone number is 925-314-3700.

I understand that policing a community is a complex issue that doesn’t always leave all involved parties satisfied; however, it is extremely important to me that we do the very best we can to provide police services to Danville in a way that works best for our community at large.

As a long-term resident, your viewpoint is helpful in helping us do our jobs to the best of our ability. I invite you to attend our Citizen’s Academy, participate in a ride-a-long, review our annual reports, or just give me a telephone call/meet me in person. I sincerely hope you take the opportunity to contact me.

Thank you,

Steve Simpkins, Chief of Police

Thank you, Chief Simpkins, for your informative e-mail, and for being open and responsive to citizens of Danville. Having lived in Danville for over 16 years, I actually think Danville PD does a great job in protecting and serving our community. Being a police officer has to be one of the most difficult jobs, and people(and ambulance chasing attorneys) are always second guessing how the police handle any situation. Most of us realize that everyday you risk your life to protect strangers, and unfortunately the current administration in Washington's rhetoric and groups like Black Lives Matter are making your already dangerous job more dangerous. May God bless all the law enforcement and military who risk their lives everyday to keep us safe, and allow you to get home safely to your families and loved ones.

Thank you for your response Chief Simpkins. The incident I'm referring was in 1991. Way before your time and hopefully the department wouldn't do the same today. The department was very apologetic about how they behaved. We left it there and accepted the apology.

I've lived here my whole life. What is frustrating is that I see a police car sitting on El Capitan all the time waiting for a hard working members of our community to come home from work to give out stop sign infractions for not stopping for the 3 seconds; or whatever time you determine warrants a ticket. They literally sit there around 5-7 pm waiting for people to come home from work.

Why is this cruiser not out patrolling the area for suspicious persons or vehicles when there have been several robberies in the danville station and greenbrook area in the last several months. In fact, one just the other day.

No disrespect as I admire police officers and the risks they take. Thank you again for your message.

I try and respect the police department, but the level of respect is not returned. Last December after returning from a Holiday Party I was stopped after being followed all the way back to the office. The interaction went like this. "Do you know why I stopped you?" My answer, " I have no idea" His response "you have a headlight not working". Showed him it was in fact on? Next question after that went no where. "How much have you had to drink this evening?" My response, "I don't drink and have not had a drop in years." Didn't like that response, so now it is "There is a strong oder of alcohol coming from this vehicle." My response was my wife and assistant had one glass each at dinner, not 2, not 4 just one." This took an inordinate amount of time while he played his game with us. Next time it will be, "Am I being detained? Am I free to go" This is the US isn't it? That will probably get me arrested then released after they make your life a living hell. Respect, give me a break!

Hi David,

Thank you for responding and clarifying the medical situation, I appreciate that. In regard to your question about the patrol car on El Capitan, let me offer you a quote from a letter I received earlier this month from a resident:

"I've lived in Danville for 27 years, the last 5 in Danville Station. I live near the intersection of Mustang and El Capitan and walk my two dogs in the neighborhood. On many occasions - far too many to count- I have been frightened by cars barreling along at rates of speed far in excess of the posted speed limit - 25MPH. This driver behavior poses a real danger to people and animals who walk on El Capitan."

I frequently receive input from residents about where they would like to see enforcement and we do our best to respond to those requests. Over the years I have frequently received complaints from residents about traffic violations on and around El Capitan and we will continue our enforcement at the request of those residents.

You pose an excellent question in regard to why the officer isn't patrolling the area for crime related issues. In essence we have two types of officers working during the day. We have a team of officers dedicated to traffic safety, two of them on motorcycles and one in a patrol car. We also have officers who are assigned regular patrol duties - responding to calls for service and proactively patrolling neighborhoods. It is very likely that you are seeing one of the traffic safety officers working El Capitan; rest assured there is also an officer in that area who is working patrol in the fashion you described and desire.

As I stated previously, policing a community is a complex situation that rarely satisfies all involved. For every letter we receive requesting enforcement, it is likely that we have a resident with your perspective that we should be doing something else with our time. Regardless, we will always strive to do our best to meet the needs and concerns of all of our residents.

Thank you again for responding and offering clarification,

Steve Simpkins, Chief of Police

Chief,
Yes. For sure. El Capitan and Mustang drive can be a speed zone and is dangerous for those neighbors. Not one stop sign from the bridge over 680 to the Greenbrook pool. No doubt dangerous. So I applaud the efforts to crack down on speeding on that stretch.

In regards to the stop sign I'm referring, it's located way up El Capitan Drive on the hillside inside the tennis court parking lot with no major cross street. There are a string of 3 stop signs on the one stretch not so far away from each other. I'd suggest that traffic officer move his vehicle to more dangerous roads like Mustang and El Capitan. Or perhaps the autubon know as Tassahara.

Again, thank you for the dialog. Danville is a great City ! Proud to live here and it's safe, for the most part due to your efforts. I have no doubt you have to deal with horrible people and some horrible crimes. But ticketing folks driving home from work and while taking their kids to school for not stopping for 2-3 seconds are not said horrible people. Speeding 40 mph in a 25mph zone on El Capitan coming home from work? I say write them up all day and night.

Or install more stop signs or speed bumps. Oh wait, I suggested that to the City and PD and I was sent a packet of paper work to authorize a 'traffic study' before any conversation could ensue about solutions. Perhaps the concern of a citizen for the safety of our children should be quite enough to lay a strip of cable across the road to determine the need or lack of need for additional precautionary measures.

David,
When you try and effect any change in a bureaucracy the system will do its best to prevent that change. As a professor at Berkeley said many years ago, "The sole purpose of any bureaucracy is to perpetuate itself." The town and its various departments has power to make something happen or get in its way. I am afraid that all too often it is a feeling of us versus them and it should not be that way, but sadly that is the reality now.

David,

The rules for a Stop Sign in California have been the same FOREVER. You come to a complete stop. Your wheels stop turning. No rolling stops.
It's simple. Just do it!

We get all of these distracted people who have ten things going on in their car at once.

All these hurried people that try to jump their turn at the Stop Sign.

All of these non-California people from other places where Stop Signs and "road lanes" are treated as mere "suggestions"--who don't have the habits of a good driver. Who have no concept of waiting until a pedestrian actually crosses off the road. Who don't look (let alone signal) BEFORE they turn.

All these recently trained and licensed people (like in the last 25 years) where the quality of drivers is so poor and so low that you have to be "blind" to fail the dumbed down actual driving portion of the Driver's Test.

I say, let them follow the law and come to a complete stop!
They're not going to go to jail--they're going to get a wakeup call.

And, OMG, you're one of those people who advocate more stop signs and speed bumps and probably lower speed limits? Yikes!
How about more potholes and 5-mile-per-hour speed limits? That would save even more people and make the world an even safer place.
How about 0-mile-per-hour speed limits? That would solve the problem!

You and your "Not at MY intersection". "Go to someone else's street."

As to the "frightened person on the sidewalk walking their dog (presumably on-leash?):

You're on the sidewalk. You're safe!
When's the last time you saw a car drive up onto the sidewalk, even at 40 mph!?!

Even the "crows" know about such things. They know where the tires go....and don't go.
You're smarter than a crow.

I'm not sure if 25 mph is the most correct speed limit for that area....or not? (It's not my area, so I won't state an opinion.)
But if, as the letter states, cars are going 40 mph (successfully for years and without accidents?), then just maybe 25 mph is inappropriately low and should be changed upwards!?!

Should we let the "most frightened" or "most vocal" person dictate speed limits.
No. That's why we have Traffic Study systems to bring some semblance of logic to the process.

The Pack kids were on the sidewalk on Camino Tassajara when that intoxicated lady crashed into them and killed them.

Speeders & drunks kill people.

Thanks cops. Keep handing out those tickets.

Herman Glates,

Actually I removed (edited out) a sentence in my earlier post that said "When's the last time you saw a car drive up onto the sidewalk, even at 40 mph!?! (And, if so, the primary cause was almost certainly NOT speed.)"

I removed that last part because I didn't think anyone would be so "ridiculous" as to not understand that there was probably some OTHER primary cause of a car crashing a sidewalk. But then there is you!


Most of us don't fear a speeding car in the street when we are on the sidewalk. (We may be startled and concerned.)
But what we ACTUALLY fear is that our stupid dog will jump into the street. Or that our untrained young child, playing near the street (why?), will chase a ball into it.
The concept behind asking for a lower speed limit is because we're HOPING that, if a car is going slower, that it will have a chance of not hitting them.

A more reasonable concern is to worry about what things can go wrong at the crosswalks when our children cross the street there. However, these mentioned "speeding" cars are NOT running through stop signs (unless, once again, there is some other cause going on). They are just safely driving to get someplace quicker.

Yes, speed can acerbate the damage of an accident or crime. But speed is rarely the actual CAUSE of the accident.
So I think that "speed" has gotten a bad rap! (And, no, I'm not a speeder.)

Hey, if you want a 3-mile-per-hour speed limit in your subdivision and a million speed bumps. Go for it.
But start with your OWN DRIVEWAY first. Put your dumb speed bumps there first.

+++
BTW, the Pack nanny—Barreto—was DUI primarily on "drugs", but accompanied with vodka: i.e., multiple prescriptions for Vicodin and Flexeril.

+++
Having said all this, at some point EXCESSIVE SPEED, in combination with other bad actions and maneuvers, can become an actual CAUSE of an accident.

For that, a more relevant possible example would be the RECKLESSLY DRIVING (speeding and unsafe lane change) by Concord teen, David Rosen, who killed two people on the corner sidewalk at Oak Grove & Treat.

And another example would be the RECKLESS DRIVING (speeding and improper lane changes) by Pleasanton teen, Cody Hall, who killed bicyclist on Foothill Road.

Still my point is the same. These are not instances of simply going over the speed limit. These are instances of VERY excessive speed and then making high-risk decisions to not to slow for cars ahead but instead to cut around them and across lanes.

Well all of these opinions and thoughts are great to read and i do appreciate the words from our Police Chief, thank you Sir for all you do for each and everyone of us.
What is going on is a shame, I have lived here for the past 21 years, raised 7 great kids and have always felt safe, till now.
I know its the times, but its also the cuts backs our Police Force has had that has lighten the number of officers we have to protect us.
As for cameras, i would say yes, just put 4 at my house along with notion lights to try and defier would be intruders.
Also am alert for what is going on around the neighbor and our home, this is crucial
we do have dogs, and they bark! that helps and and alarm that we now turn on (never put it on before) will this top bad guys, hope so..but if they do get in and we are home alone, we also have a weapon, which i am trained to use,don't want to but will if had to..again this is a shame to think we would ever have too and pray we don't have to but will not be a afraid to stand up for ourselves! God Bless our Police Dept and all of you, Be alert, be safe and remember we are so blessed to live in such a beautiful town, lets all keep our eyes open and watch out for each other! Best to everyone

Good grief! Anything that can be done ... Should be done. Not all these crooks are smart; besides if it's a stolen license plate or car the Police have something to trace!!!

PSMacintosh or whatever your real name is,

Let me explain this again so perhaps you will understand.

I requested the traffic study and speed bumps ON MY STREET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ON MY STREET !!!!!!!! Get it ! ?

People SPEED on my street and use it as a thoroughfare to avoid Camino Ramon during rush hour. There are children on my street, including my own. I counted 28 cars one summer evening that went by our house WITHIN 1.5 hours. Most speeding around the corner. You have a problem with adding speed bumps or signs on my street to keep kids safe? I'll put speed bumps every 5 feet and on my driveway if it keeps the kids safe.

My point was...THE POLICE SHOULD BE OUT PATROLLING THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WERE ROBBED 5 TIMES LAST WEEKEND INSTEAD OF SITTING IN A TENNIS COURT PARKING LOT ON EL CAPITAN GIVING OUT TICKY TACKY TICKETS TO THE 'GOOD GUYS' BETWEEN 5-6PM WHEN THEY ARE GETTING HOME FROM WORK!

Get it NOW ?