San Jose is setting up a new surveillance system to prevent crime at a mall

A new security system installed at a San Jose mall promises to reduce crime at small businesses.

Christa Sanchez has seen one store after another vandalized or robbed in Lion Plaza, where her cosmetics store is located.

“There was a whole lot of crime,” Sanchez told CBS News Bay Area. “We have a lot of homeless people who live right across the street and they tend to migrate here.”

The plaza is right next to Tully Road, an area she said sees a lot of violence, which sometimes spills over into the mall. Surrounding businesses such as a massage parlor and a dentist's office were hit by random acts of violence, sometimes resulting in gunfire and broken windows.

In 2022, a nearby jewelry store was attacked, with the suspect shot dead by the owner. Although security forces regularly patrol the area, it is difficult to get them to respond in a timely manner, Sanchez said.

“We had people standing there, homeless people, just staring into your eyes. It's pretty scary. There are no security guards,” Sanchez said. “You can’t call them fast enough.”

But the city of San Jose is proposing a solution to the problem. New security systems at two shopping centers along Tully Road are part of a pilot program to reduce criminal activity near small businesses.

The systems have 360° cameras that can record crime videos and read license plates. In a press conference to unveil the new technology, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said it was important for the city to adopt new technologies to combat crime.

“This is part of a larger push by our police force to use technology wherever we can to achieve better outcomes,” the mayor said.

The cameras are mobile and can be moved anywhere the Tully Road East Ridge Business Association, a group that works with the city to make security improvements, deems necessary.

In response to questions about privacy concerns, the mayor said footage captured by the camera would only be monitored if there were reports of a threat.

“We delete the data routinely. As you heard from the chief, we do not retain data long-term unless it is actively used in an investigation or prosecution,” the mayor said.

Although the program is still in its infancy, Sanchez said she is grateful for any impact the camera system can have in reducing crime.