Listen to this note:
This coming Monday, June 24, Redwood City residents, along with city council members, will have the opportunity to improve the community by allocating the 2023-2024 budget to areas that residents, through a survey, identified as priorities to improve the quality of life in the area.
The Redwood City Council will thus have the opportunity to discuss funding for various projects, for which a special one-time fund totaling $7.1 million will be allocated for park renovations, road paving, ramps for people with disabilities, or the implementation of surveillance cameras, to name a few.
In an interview with Peninsula 360 Press, the councilors Lissette Espinoza Garnica (District 3) and Chris Sturken (District 2), they pointed out that, according to the surveys, security was an important aspect, so it is planned to allocate around one million dollars to implement surveillance cameras in the places where necessary.
However, they said, carrying out such a surveillance program would be extremely expensive for the city, as the study for the cameras alone could cost around $250,000. But the overall study, plus implementation, camera purchases and ongoing maintenance (including possibly having to hire an outside contractor to review the recordings), would exceed $1 million over time.
In this regard, Chris Sturken commented that “the cameras are very expensive and at present we do not have a policy ready to implement such a program, the funds would only be enough to investigate where the surveillance cameras could be placed,” so more resources would have to be allocated to this project in the budgets of the coming years.
In turn, Lissette Espinoza said that this project is not a prevention program, since it would only serve to check a place after a crime has already occurred. “In terms of security, it is better to invest money in preventing crimes, that is something that does not spend so many resources and has a higher return on investment.”
They therefore considered that an alternative would be to use these funds for programs such as the expansion of bicycle lanes and places to walk, which would allow emergency services, such as police and firefighters, to respond to calls in less time.
Furthermore, having spaces where citizens can enjoy the streets also benefits businesses, has benefits for young people and the community in general, as it encourages them to have a healthy life, in addition to having benefits for their physical, emotional and mental health.
“We need to invest in projects that address the root of insecurity. By expanding the bike lanes, we would also have a permanent infrastructure that will benefit the community for many years to come and not just temporarily.”
Adding to this is the current deficit of more than $9 million that Redwood City has, which in the future could impact services such as libraries, support services, fire and police departments, parks and other essential programs for citizens.
“It is important to find a way to generate more resources for the city. Tax options and reforms are currently being studied, such as for business licenses, so that there is no impact on these services.”
Espinoza-Garnica said the proposed tax would not guarantee all essential services, but it would be significant, as the annual deficit is around $9.3 million and the new measure could raise around $7 million.
It should be noted that citizens can watch City Council meetings on Zoom, but will not be able to make public comments.
You may also email PublicComment@RedwoodCity.org before 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting to have your comment read aloud, provided there is sufficient time.
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