Ripon has rolled out $500,000 in new surveillance technology aimed at reducing crime.

Infrared wireless security cameras throughout Ripon have replaced the now obsolete 13-year-old Mesh camera system with new technology at a cost of $200,000. New license plate readers that search for stolen cars coming into the city’s roadways cost another $300,000. Ripon Police Lt. Danny Sour described as a dual success story for the community.

Information technician Dan Brannon demonstrated to City Council members how the cameras capture almost the same image as a camera functioning in daylight situations.  Brannon said that investigators are now able to view images from camera to camera to capture the direction of travel of a vehicle. He added that resources can also be shared with 60 other agencies. They also have mobile app capability.  Also, a hot list can provide information such as stolen vehicles, felony want vehicles and lost and stolen license plates.

The cameras are located at multiple locations at the entrances to the city – some with more than one camera located at a particular site — along with the 21 new license plate readers.

The city-wide security camera network was implemented in 2005 at a reduced cost from Motorola and monetary support from PG&E and other entities..

Ripon now has 76 cameras with each unit sending live wireless video signals to monitors in police headquarters and patrol cars as well as to laptops and tablets carried by police officers in the field.

The cameras have been responsible in aiding the arrest of two bank robbers – one before he could flee the area and the second in Salida.