The meeting was organized by the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce to discuss the increasing number of burglaries at businesses in the downtown area. It was presided over by Capt. John Hirokawa of the West Valley Substation. Sgt. Ed Wise of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department also spoke at the meeting.

In the last few months, burglars have struck at a number of businesses in the Village, including a hair salon, a jewelry store and a grocery store.

"We have had a disproportionate number of burglaries in the Village. I'm counting on the business owners to be our extra eyes and ears," said Wise.

At the meeting, local merchants watched a TV program from Discovery Channel called It Takes a Thief. The show illustrates how complacent home and business owners make life easy for burglars.

Wise game a number of burglary prevention tips and advised the owners not to leave money in cash registers at the end of the business day.

"For the burglars, it might be as easy as breaking a window and gaining access to a business. If they find something, they're going to take it," said Hirokawa.

Both Hirokawa and Wise said that businesses should make all efforts to avoid making themselves a target.

"Cameras are essential, and so are burglar alarms," said Hirokawa.

Deputy Robert Bosworth said that many of the businesses in the Village were housed in old buildings, making it easy for burglars to break in.

"Some of them have flimsy wooden doors with flimsy locks," he said.

The officers urged the owners to keep an inventory of everything they have at their stores.

"In case of a burglary, we need the serial numbers of computers and other equipment. So always keep them handy," said Wise.

"Taking a picture of a piece of equipment also helps. Sometimes it helps us identify stolen goods," he said.

Hirokawa said that the West Valley Substation had stepped up patrols in the Village. "We're putting in a lot of late hours. We will do whatever it takes to catch them," he said.

Some deputies in unmarked cars had also been patrolling the area, according to Hirokawa.

"We recently arrested two individuals near the Village and found burglary tools in their car," said Hirokawa.

He attributed the rising crime to the stagnant economic situation in the area. "This is also one of the most affluent areas in the South Bay and is a natural attraction for burglars," he said.

Judy Coulter, who owns the UPS store in the Village, asked the officers if a sheriff's deputy could be assigned exclusively to the Village. "Ten years ago, we had a deputy who would walk around and talk to all the business owners. It was a comforting feeling," she said.

Hirokawa said that he is toying with the idea of assigning a deputy exclusively to the Village but he has not yet made a final decision. "We have been encouraging our deputies to get out of their cars and talk to people," he said.

Bill Cooper, owner of the Bella Saratoga restaurant, said that the moving of the West Valley Substation from the Saratoga downtown area to Cupertino had attracted a lot of publicity.

"A bike patrol in the area would also help," said Cooper.

Hirokawa said that auto burglaries have also shown a spike in recent months. "We urge people not to leave laptops or other valuables in their cars. And always lock your cars," he said.

At the meeting, deputies handed out flyers detailing burglary prevention tips. Sheila Arthur, executive director of the Chamber, said that the flyer would be mailed to all chamber members.

Sheriff's deputies are urging local residents to call 911 to report any suspicious activity. If using a cell phone, residents should call local dispatchers at 408.299.3233 or 408.299.2311.