With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Los Angeles considers alert system for hit-and-run crashes
Listen
• 0:30
Los Angeles city officials are considering a new communications system that would alert Angelenos to hit-and-run drivers in their area.
(
Courtesy NBCLosAngeles.com
)
The Los Angeles City Council's Public Safety Committee is expected to vote Friday on whether to create an alert system to help police track down some of the 20,000 drivers who leave the scene of a crash every year.
It's a key vote for the "Medina Alert," which would notify Angelenos of hit-and-run drivers in the area. The notifications would likely be sent out on the Los Angeles Police Department's social media accounts and opt-in email alerts, said Councilman Mitch Englander, who chairs the committee.
"It's about trying to get as many eyes and ears out there in the community," Englander said.
The Los Angeles Police Department is expected to give a presentation on the alert system at Friday's committee meeting. The notifications would likely be limited to the LAPD division where the crash occurred.
Support for LAist comes from
“There is a fine line between information overload and sharing information, so sending things out citywide from a local incident wouldn’t necessarily make sense," Englander said.
Englander said notifications would likely be sent based on the severity of a crash and how much information is available, such as the make and model of a car or the lettering of a license plate.
In 2012, hit-and-runs within the city of Los Angeles resulted in 27 deaths and 4,789 injuries, according to data provided by the California Highway Patrol. However, those figures may not provide a complete picture. CHP data estimated there were 14,132 hit-and-run crashes that year, while LAPD puts the figure closer to 20,000 a year.
The notification system is expected to be approved alongside a standing $50,000 reward for information in hit-and-run crashes.
This story is part of Transportation Nation, a public radio reporting project that combines the work of multiple newsrooms to provide coverage of how we build, rebuild and get around the nation. To read other Transportation Nation stories, click here. Let us know what you think in the comments below, on KPCC's Facebook page or on Twitter (@KPCC).
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
First Amendment lawyer says LAPD denial goes against principles of public records law. -
Lucille J. Smith Elementary was one of 31 California schools to be nominated as a National Blue Ribbon School. -
Unhoused people sleeping in county parks and along flood control channels can now be immediately fined or jailed. -
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it.
Best of LAist