ELK GROVE CA, (MPG) - The City Council unanimously approved resolutions at its May 13 meeting adopting the integration of business surveillance cameras into the city Police Department’s camera system, along with a new funding program for businesses wishing to provide additional coverage, and a new program providing funding to help small businesses upgrade and meet American With Disabilities Act access requirements.

The Police Department launched its Community Sentinel Program in fall 2024 after a one-year pilot program proved successful in assisting officers with business crime. The program enables businesses to share their live exterior surveillance camera footage with the Elk Grove Police Department’s Real Time Information Center (RTIC).

The program is voluntary, at no cost to the business and used only with exterior camera feeds. Businesses must sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the department on camera usage, with owners retaining control and access, data retention settings and camera use permission.

“There is no outside access by anyone other than the Elk Grove Police Department,” RTIC manager Andrea Cortez told council.

Cortez added the camera feeds are only called up if an active crime has been reported or another call for service has occurred at the business. Since its inception, the program has been utilized by six Elk Grove businesses including the Elk Grove Auto Mall, Ridge Shopping Center, the city’s homeless shelter at Calvary Christian Church and Sun Grove Church.

City information indicates the pilot program has led to more than 700 theft reports documented by those businesses, with 63% resulting in an arrest. One of those was an individual arrested for theft at Ulta and Sephora who police believe has been involved in approximately $3,000 of retail theft in Elk Grove and much more in the region.

Elk Grove police data also indicated property crime accounts for approximately 68% of all reportable crimes in the city, and while overall crime dropped from 2024 to 2025, shoplifting reports rose by 6% resulting in 760 documented theft reports resulting in more than $264,000 in property losses.

City officials believe increased participation in the Community Sentinel Program can further help reduce property crimes, and proposed creation of the Business Reimbursement for Integrated Camera Systems (BRICS) Incentive Program. The program, modeled after similar programs in Stockton, Rancho Palos Verdes and San Jose, will provide up to 50% reimbursement of eligible costs to businesses. Reimbursements max out at $5,000 per business or commercial real estate property.

Economic Development Department analyst Melissa Lasher said these businesses include retail, office, industrial or multifamily housing exterior-only cameras. Eligible costs include new commercial-grade cameras and components, upgrades improving quality or coverage and hardware/software needed for RTIC connectivity.

“This is not about more cameras,” Lasher said. “It’s about better coverage.”

The city is proposing to use $75,000 of Measure E funds for the program. During council questions, Councilmember Rod Brewer asked if the city knew of more businesses that might be interested in the program and if they would have to turn businesses away if program funds were used up.

Lasher said several additional businesses expressed interest in the program but she didn’t have a total yet.

“That’s a great problem to have if we run out of money,” she said. “We can address that if it happens.”

Council also approved a resolution establishing the Accessibility Compliance to Create Equitable Small Business Spaces (ACCESS) Incentive Program. The program, also modeled after similar programs in San Jose and San Francisco, will provide reimbursement matching grants to eligible small businesses installing or upgrade access to the facilities in order to meet ADA compliance.

The program will cover up to 50% of eligible project costs, with a maximum of $10,000 reimbursement per business or commercial space. The costs are reimbursed only after all project inspections are completed and a certificate of occupancy is received.

The program defines small businesses, including nonprofits, as those with 20 or fewer full-time employees and less than $3 million in revenue. The business must be registered with the California Secretary of State, property licenses in Elk Grove and in good standing with the city.

“This is not a large business program,” Lasher told the council.

To qualify, property access upgrades must be identified through a Certified Access Specialist (CAsp) report or required by ADA/California Building Standards Code. Improvements can include installation of ramps, handrails, compliant thresholds, widening of doorways and accessibility-related equipment, fixtures and materials.

The program is paid for through a $4 fee collected during the business licensing process. Lasher said the fund currently has a balance of $96,714 and accrues annual revenue of approximately $10,000.

“We’re helping our small businesses and helping our residents,” Vice Mayor Darren Suen said in support of the program.