More than $50,000 has been invested in enhancing security for small businesses in one Bay Area community.
A new pilot program is bringing free security camera systems to 35 businesses in East San Jose’s Alum Rock Village neighborhood. Officials hope it will deter crime and provide greater safety for both business owners and customers.
The Alum Rock Village neighborhood is filled with dozens of small businesses that have a big reach.
“Everyone comes to the East Side to get handmade Mexican goods, Vietnamese goods, especially the artisanal foods that are offered to the greater San Jose and really Santa Clara County community,” said District 5 City Councilmember Peter Ortiz whose office was behind the program.
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However, the businesses have faced a series of challenges.
“We have had a string of armed robberies here,” Ortiz said.
The businesses have banded together to form the Alum Rock Business Association, and now they’re getting support from the city.