CONTRA COSTA COUNTY (KRON) — A Contra Costa County supervisor said cities, counties, and even the state should all look into adding surveillance cameras in the areas where shootings are taking place.
Supervisor Mary Piepho said Wednesday’s shooting hits home for her because she was actually stuck in the terrible traffic caused by the shooting investigation.
She said she was also surprised to learn that cameras weren’t already set up along Highway 4 that might have captured the shooting on camera.
“I certainly support the efforts to create surveillance systems within the interstate highway system, particularly in these communities where we’re seeing the higher level, the higher percentage of incidents,” Piepho said.
Supervisor Piepho has been a member of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors for 12 years, representing the southern portion of Antioch through far east county.
“As a member of the county board of supervisors, I certainly have a role to wave the flag and say we need some help, we need some attention,” she said. “Can we do it? What are the restrictions and what are the costs? And let’s stand behind the system in leaders to make sure that we’re working with Caltrans and our state legislators to say how can we make this happen. How can we make our communities safer?”
She says criminals may be aware of the fact that stationary surveillance cameras aren’t monitoring the stretches of Highway 4 and Interstate 80, where several shootings have happened in recent months.
And Piepho said she plans to discuss with the rest of the board of supervisors, as well as the California Highway Patrol and Caltrans, which manages the state highway system, options on how to mount cameras in these problem areas.
Since November, there have more than 18 shootings on Highway 4 and other various highways in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.