RICHMOND, Calif.--The city of Richmond -- located 16 miles northeast of San Francisco -- is embarking on a venture to build two wireless public surveillance networks that officials hope will reduce trespassing and copper theft, and cut down on illegal dumping.

The city has, unfortunately, been plagued by serious crime and illegal dumping -- the dumping of any waste upon any public right-of-way -- said Ed Medina, Richmond deputy police chief, and the costs associated with addressing the issue is eating into city funds. Medina said city officials had to come up with a solution to deter individuals from engaging in this practice.

"The city as a whole has spent the better part of two years discussing the possibility of cameras and how they could best assist the police department," he said.

The $4-million project includes 34 cameras in designated high-risk areas of the city installed by ADT. They , will enable police to view and wirelessly transmit images to the dispatch center where the cameras will be monitored. A portion of the initiative is installed in the Port of Richmond, which is in the finishing stages and includes 87 cameras.

Jeff Guiterrez, national account manager with ADT, said the company is using Axis Communication's IP cameras, both fixed and pan-tilt, and a wireless mesh network.

Norm Chan, port administrator at the Port of Richmond, said the solution w be used for perimeter detection. ADT incorporated ObjectVideo's server-based analytics, which will help port officials respond to an increase in copper theft at the port.

"We are unique in that one hand as we have a problem with copper theft and intrusion. On the other hand we have to secure maritime facilities," he said. "And then we have to give public access to folks because there is a national part right in the middle of the operational facility."

Part of the long-term plans for the project is to link the two systems with the other solutions within the county, schools and public housing.

Jon Sargent, industry and law enforcement liaison with ADT, a longtime resident of Richmond who also serves as the president of the California Alarm Association, said that he is well aware of the safety challenges in the area, and he and other residents are pleased to "see something of this scope happening here and we are really hoping this makes a difference."

"I think in the long run this should result in helping the city detect crime and provide factual evidence," he said.