Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Anti-Surveillance Group Sues LAPD And City For Refusing To Disclose Locations Of Security Cameras At Echo Park Lake
The Stop LAPD Spying Coalition is suing the Los Angeles Police Department and the city after they refused to reveal the locations of security cameras at Echo Park Lake.
Surveillance cameras were installed at the park around spring and early summer of last year when the park reopened, said Hamid Khan, an organizer with the anti-surveillance group. The park had been fenced off after the city’s March 2021 eviction of the unhoused community that had been living there.
Khan says his group tried to get records on where the cameras are located, but police have refused to hand them over.
"They started claiming that the disclosure of a location of even one of those cameras will compromise law enforcement, which is really an unprecedented legal argument to say that no state agency is ever required to disclose the locations," he said.
Khan maintained the LAPD is setting an "extremely dangerous precedent."
"Now they're setting it up that they would never have to disclose the location of any surveillance equipment, ever," he said.
In an emailed statement, an LAPD spokesperson said "the department cannot comment on open litigation."
The City Attorney's office said it will review the complaint.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter.
-
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500
-
There’s still a lot to be determined as the refinery, which supplies about one-fifth of Southern California's vehicle fuels, works to restore production and as data is collected.
-
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi.
-
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown.
-
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding.