L.A. Police Want To Expand Video Camera ‘Virtual Patrols”
The Los Angeles Police Department credits surveillance video cameras for a 45 percent drop in reported serious crimes at MacArthur Park, from 330 for the first six months of last year to 181 this year. Since the cameras were installed in January, they have been pivotal in more than 150 arrests, mostly involving felony drug charges.
Councilman Dennis Zine praises the system, noting that it relieves officers of the impossible burden of patrolling everywhere. He also cites its value to court proceedings.
The police department is attempting to draw funding from government and private sources to expand the initiative. Each camera costs up to $10,000.
Efforts are underway to install cameras along Hollywood Boulevard and known gang hangouts in Newton.
On the other hand, Elizabeth Schroeder with the ACLU of Southern California argues that the cameras’ presence will simply encourage criminals to move to unmonitored locations.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Associated Press (07/19/04) .