Garcetti,
Mayor Unveil Safety Cameras in Rampart Parks
New
cameras in Filipinotown neighborhood
March 3, 2005
Councilmember
Eric Garcetti joined Mayor James Hahn, Captain Charlie Beck of
LAPD Rampart Division, and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mike
Roos at the unveiling today of new wireless safety cameras in
Lake Street Park in the Historic Filipinotown neighborhood.
"Using
cameras to help watch over our parks make residents feel safer
and gives police an efficient, effective technology for fighting
crime," said Councilmember Garcetti. "Like a patrol
car or a utility belt, they are one tool that the LAPD can use
to restore neighbors' faith in the safety of public spaces."
"We know
that these cameras help LAPD make communities safer," said
Mayor Hahn. "Rampart Area, which encompasses MacArthur Park
and Lake Street Park, has seen a 50 percent decrease in homicides
and almost 43 percent decrease in violent crimes over the last
two years since surveillance cameras were installed there. Not
only is MacArthur Park vastly safer, but the communities surrounding
the park are too."
"Having
a camera in every park is like having a police officer in every
park," said Captain Charlie Beck of Rampart Division. "My
father was a police officer before patrol cars had radios. He
had to return to the station to be dispatched to the scene of
a crime. Like radios before them, cameras will transform our ability
to protect and serve the public."
"Park
Safety is the number one priority for the Board of Recreation
and Parks Commissioners this year," said Mike Roos, Board
Chair of the commission.
Councilmember
Garcetti's announcement included the assignment of funds to place
cameras in nearly a dozen other parks throughout the 13th Council
District. The installation will be funded with more than $380,000
in Community Development Block Grant funds. The cameras are restricted
to viewing public spaces; the Lake Street Park cameras will be
monitored 24/7 by a Rampart Division officer.
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Contact: Josh Kamensky (213) 473-7013
Mayor: Elizabeth Kaltman (213) 978-0741
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Councilmember
Eric Garcetti
Josh Kamensky
Communications and Legislation
213 / 473-7013
www.cd13.com
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