One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
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.
What Those LAPD Cameras See On Hollywood Blvd.
This was taken on a field trip last year with Councilman Jack Weiss' office to see the LAPD cameras in action. The purpose: to see if this was something fit for any areas in his district. When I took out my camera, I asked if I could take pictures and video. And with no hesitation, they said yes. And with no hesitation, the police department said yes to putting it on the internet.
The cameras that line Hollywood Blvd. can zoom it pretty close (even closer than this video actually shows). As I sat there with an officer, he showed us how he operates them and how they program the cameras on specific and automated scans of streets when they are not being operated manually. As we were scanning one area, he put his finger up and said, "That guy! That guy right there, he's in a gang."
I asked if there were any big captures due to the cameras and only got a story of when they were first installed, someone stabbed someone and it was all caught on tape. It seems for the most part, people are keeping their Hollywood Blvd. shenanigans off-street, off-camera. But as we all know, the boulevard is still a full-time sketchville of fun.
From the streets, the LAPD cameras are actually harder to find than you think. Hollywood Blvd. is lined with cameras from private businesses and each street sign telling you there are LAPD cameras on the street does not mean there is a camera right there -- it is simply a warning that there are cameras in the area.
Pictures after the jump.
Sponsored message
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
