Cameras To Keep Watch In Hollywood
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) intends to set up surveillance cameras on streets in Los Angeles, starting with Hollywood Boulevard. Soon, a total of 64 cameras will monitor Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Sunset boulevards and Western Avenue.
Police will be able to move the cameras remotely using a joystick, and eventually will be able to search saved records.
The first set of five cameras will cost $103,000 and will require $25,000 annually for maintenance. City administrators hope the virtual policing tools will be expanded across the metropolis and will help the department probe and prevent crime incidents.
LAPD Capt. Michael Downing said street surveillance cameras help decrease crimes such as drug dealing, car theft, and graffiti. Kerry Morrison, executive director of the Hollywood Entertainment District, says the cameras will have signs notifying passersby that they are being recorded.
The city already uses cameras to monitor public palaces such as the 40-acre MacArthur Park, which has seven cameras. Camera systems are also used in New Orleans, Chicago, Palm Springs, and Washington, D.C.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Los Angeles Times (10/28/04) P. A1; Garrison, Jessica.
