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Council approves $100,000 pilot to help small businesses install shatter‑resistant window film
Summary
Milpitas approved a $100,000 storefront crime‑prevention pilot to underwrite installation of shatter‑resistant window film for eligible small businesses (grants up to $4,000 each). Council added a priority for businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
The Milpitas City Council voted June 16 to launch a $100,000 storefront crime‑prevention pilot that will fund shatter‑resistant window film for qualifying small, storefront businesses.
Program design: Economic development staff proposed a vendor‑administered program so businesses would pay nothing up front for film and installation for projects that cost $4,000 or less; the pool would serve a minimum of 25 businesses at that cap. The film is intended to hold glass shards together on impact, slow forced entry and allow police time to respond.
Public‑safety rationale: Captain Tyler Jamieson of the Milpitas Police Department said hardening storefront targets helps deter smash‑and‑grab burglaries and gives officers time to arrive. Chief Jared Hernandez later cited department data showing many rapid smash‑and‑grab incidents last about 30 seconds; he said film demonstrably slows those attacks and that Milpitasʼ average emergency response times are sub‑3 minutes.
Council discussion and prioritization: Council members discussed eligibility (staff proposed businesses with 25 employees or fewer), outreach, and whether to allow alternate uses (cameras, bollards). Several council members urged prioritizing the smallest businesses. The council approved the program and added a direction to prioritize businesses with fewer than 10 employees in the initial rollout; the motion carried with one dissent on a separate procedural vote but the program passed as amended.
Why it matters: City staff cited 996 property crimes reported around Milpitas shopping centers since February 2023, with 305 reports in 2025 alone. The pilot is tailored to quickly deploy a deterrent that staff and the police department say should reduce losses and time businesses remain closed after incidents.
Next steps: Staff will run a competitive procurement to select an installer and conduct another outreach round to recruit eligible businesses. The city will return to council with performance data after one year, including conversion rates and recipient feedback.
