Safety cameras haven proven to deter crime and assist prosecutions; preliminary study reports 40% reduction in crime in first year of camera installation
Los Angeles, CA – June 24, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined by Councilwoman Janice Hahn, Police Commission President John Mack, Chief Charlie Beck, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) President and CEO Rudolf Montiel and community leaders, today announced the expansion of safety cameras to the Jordan Downs, Nickerson Gardens, Imperial Courts and Ramona Gardens public housing developments.“Safety cameras have proven to be a powerful law enforcement tool to deter crime,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “The expansion of the safety cameras will help assure our police department has the resources it needs to secure our families and communities.”
As part of a partnership between the LAPD and HACLA, the new 126 safety cameras will be linked into a video system monitored by the City’s police department. The new cameras will also be equipped with the fixed and mobile Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system that will be installed in the four public housing developments.
The camera expansion project will connect existing camera systems at Avalon Gardens, Mar Vista Gardens and Pico Gardens to the LAPD’s monitoring systems. The department will also have the ability to monitor the cameras at police stations closest to the area of the cameras-giving the department the ability to respond quickly to emergency situations.
The safety camera expansion will be funded by a $7 million grant awarded to the Housing Authority for the City of Los Angeles, as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
The use of safety cameras has proven to deter crime, with preliminary studies reporting a 40% reduction in overall crime at Jordan Downs a year after being installed.
Contact:
Mayor Press Contact: David Beltran (213) 978-0741
