Security Cameras Considered At Pinole Valley High School

PINOLE (KCBS) - Following the brutal gang rape of a student at Richmond High School last year, a security camera system was installed on that East Bay campus. The technology has since been credited with cutting down on the number of crimes committed on campus.

The West Contra Costa School Board is now exploring whether a similar system should be installed at Pinole Valley High School.

KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:

According to the police blotter for Pinole Valley High School, there were 34 incidents reported from August to early December 2010.

Campus officers spoke at a recent school board meeting.

"They're saying that there's problems with drugs and with bullying and with sexual assaults," recounted school board president Charles Ramsey.

"There's not a lot of safety mechanisms available at the school," echoed community members Cindy Trego, who has pushed for cameras at Pinole Valley High School for more than a year. "It changes behavior. I mean, people start to wonder who's watching and can I get caught?"

Ramsey's staff was drafting a report on how to best balance safety needs with limited school resources.

"Maybe rather than putting $2 million in that, we bring an extra cop on campus. Spend $100,000," he contemplated.

The report was expected within the next several weeks.

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