Security Cameras Could Be Coming To El Paseo

City leaders in Palm Desert are thinking about putting security cameras along El Paseo in response to a string of burglaries earlier this month.

Bert Bruning is part owner of Palm Desert Tobacco.

Last week, someone tried to break into his store. Fortunately, the alarm scared off the would-be intruder.

The attempted break-in is part of nearly a dozen crimes in the high-end fashion district over the past few weeks — that include a half-dozen robberies, purse snatchings and a violent carjacking.

According to Rick Lebel, chairman of the city’s public safety commission, the group is researching equipment and staffing costs, camera placement and feedback from other cities.

Similar cameras are already up and running in Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs.

“We increased the bicycle patrol in the downtown area and on El Paseo,” said Lebel. “This is just another opportunity to look at something else that might help enhance that safety and security.”

Lebel said many of businesses the commission has talked to support the move.

But, Bruning doesn’t want them.

He put cameras in his store and said other businesses should do the same if they haven’t yet. He said he would rather have more consistent police patrols.

“We maybe see a cop up and down the street once a week. It just has to be patrolled better, especially at night. It has to be patrolled at night,” said Bruning.

Barbara Araluce agrees with Bruning.

She works at The Slack Shoppe, just around the corner from Palm Desert Tobacco.

Someone burglarized it last weekend.

She said she worries the recent crime might spread if something isn’t done.

“They don’t come when people are here it seems, but that may begin to happen if they don’t feel deterred enough, if they feel they can get away with it, they might start coming in when people are here,” said Araluce.

According to Lebel, the commission has 60 to 90 days to complete its study, then they’ll turn over the results to the city council.