The Atherton Police Department will host a meeting tonight (Nov. 18) about community safety, emergency preparedness and burglaries in town.

The meeting will include:

• Updates to the town's infrastructure

• Updates regarding public safety cameras

• Information on burglary and crime prevention

• A Q&A with Mayor Bill Widmer and Police Chief Steve McCulley

• Information on emergency preparedness

Police held two community meetings earlier this year following a rash of 20 residential burglaries in town over a four-month period between November 2018 and February 2019. During one of the meetings, police addressed residents' concerns about crime and discussed the possibility of installing license plate readers to combat crime. Automatic license plate readers, known as ALPRs, are mounted on police cars or on fixtures such as road signs and bridges.

The City Council last month directed staff to test these devices. Town staff expect to begin a 30-day camera testing period at the Holbrook-Palmer Park entrance and exit by the end of November, according to a report by City Manager George Rodericks for the council's upcoming Wednesday, Nov. 20, meeting.

The last burglary in town was reported Saturday, Nov. 16, in the unit block of Atherton Avenue, according to a police department press release.

Tonight's meeting will be held in Holbrook-Palmer Park's Pavilion, 150 Watkins Ave. in Atherton, from 7 to 9 p.m. Coffee, tea and desserts will be provided.

RSVP for the meeting to Jennifer Frew at 650-688-6500 or jfrew@ci.atherton.ca.us.

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