Homeland Security grant to buy surveillance camera trailer for Hermosa police
by Dan blackburn
A $31,192 grant from State Homeland Security will allow the Hermosa Beach Police Department to purchase a closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance camera trailer. The city council approved the purchase by 5-0 vote on the consent calendar Tuesday.
The bid by Wireless WCCTV, LLC, was the lowest, according to a report by Police Chief Paul LeBaron.
According to LeBaron, the trailer would “provide the police department with a mobile solution for video surveillance to help prevent and investigate crime.”
Its deployment in the downtown and Pier Plaza areas would serve as “physical security,” LeBaron added, and “for special events, critical incidents, investigations and regional events.”
The grant required remote control and monitoring capabilities via Cloud on smartphones, the chief told the council. The camera has added features such as license plate reader functions and additional rapid deployment cameras, the chief said.
In other action, the council:
— Unanimously approved delivery of a letter to two California lawmakers endorsing state legislation to allow local agencies to continue meeting remotely. The proposed law would foster public participation and action by policy makers during states of emergencies “to continue essential public services,” the letter reads. It is addressed to Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi and Sen. Ben Allen, authors of the enabling bill, AB 316. Officials assert Hermosa Beach “has risen to the challenge and are engaging and listening to the public in a new, digital environment.”
— Temporarily skirted a potentially contentious issue by delaying approval of a requirement that city employees either be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, or be tested weekly at city taxpayer expense. The proposal has divided the council in the past; it was on the council’s Tuesday agenda, but was removed after Mayor Justin Massey asked for and received council agreement to discuss it at the Sept. 28 meeting. This will allow employees to further discuss the proposed requirement with union representatives, said Massey. ER