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.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The LAPD Will Begin Deploying Body Cameras Next Week
On Monday the LAPD will begin the rollout of its plan to equip 7,000 body cameras on police officers.
The first 860 cameras will be deployed to officers in the department's Mission District in the Valley, which includes Sylmar and Panorama City. According to the L.A. Times, the next steps in the program's rollout will be the South L.A. Newton Division in mid-September and then specialized units such as SWAT.
The body cameras are seen as a welcome addition to the force as more scrutiny is being placed nationwide on police officers. The LAPD is no stranger to such criticism with high-profile fatal police shootings, including the shootings of Charly Keunang and Ezell Ford. One of the officers involved in the shooting of Keunang was wearing a body camera when it took place.
Although many see it as a step in the right direction, the introduction of the devices is not without controversy. The American Civil Liberties Union dropped its support of the program in April when it opposed two policy points: the first allowing officers to review body cam footage before making an initial statement about an incident, and the second not requiring footage to be released to the public. Both points, the ACLU contends, undermine the transparency the program strives for.
Support for LAist comes from
"If [officers] are shown the video of an incident before they are required to make a statement about it, it can shade their story that is consistent with the video and allowing that opportunity doesn't increase public trust in investigations," Peter Bibring of the ACLU told NBC Los Angeles.
A few activists, according to ABC 7, oppose the program on the grounds that body cameras are just another surveillance tool for the police.
The police contend that footage can be considered evidence, which is typically not released to the public. Chief Charlie Beck says exceptions to the rules can be made on a case-by-case basis, and both the LAPD and the Police Commission say the policy can be adjusted down the road.
According to Mayor Eric Garcetti, all 7,000 cameras should be deployed by July of 2016, making it the largest police force to use body cameras on a wide scale. The first 860 cameras were purchased with $1.5 million in private donations.
()
A man talks at officers at LAPD Headquarters near a chalk message calling for the release of the video from the body cameras worn by police officers involved in the fatal police shooting of Charly Keunang (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist