Security cameras and license plate readers will be installed at seven locations throughout the city in September or October, the council decided Tuesday night.
Mayor Mark Burton mentioned in his inaugural address last year that he wanted cameras at the city’s points of egress and ingress and asked staff to report back on the feasibility.
The issue came to the forefront in December when the victim of an armed robbery in El Porto was able to identify her assailant’s car in video from a nearby business. Residents from that section of the city asked the council in person and in an online petition to install cameras and license plate readers to deter crime.
Police Chief Eve Irvine said that it would “cost millions of dollars” to have cameras and license plate readers at all 50 of the city’s exits and entrances. She proposed seven locations and directions she deemed most strategic for $400,000. They include southbound Rosecrans Avenue and Aviation Boulevard; southbound Rosecrans and Sepulveda Boulevard; northbound Artesia Boulevard and Sepulveda; northbound Artesia and Aviation; westbound Aviation and Marine Avenue; and southbound Highland Avenue and 45th Street.
Irvine emphasized that the footage would only be used for specific investigations, wouldn’t include audio and would be purged after 30 days.
“We don’t have the staffing to monitor 24 hours a day — nor do I think it’s in the best interests of the city,” said Irvine. “We’re not Big Brother. We’re not surveying, we’re not watching at all times.”
The license plate readers will scan crime databases and alert police if there is a match. They won’t be used for things like expired vehicle registration, she said.
Irvine also reported on two other public safety programs, including the new private security camera database and footbeats.
On Feb. 18, the police department invited residents and businesses to register their cameras with the department to help solve crimes. So far, 51 people have signed up, said Irvine, the majority of which were residents.
In addition to cameras, the mayor asked Irvine to assess adding footbeats downtown, by the Manhattan Village Mall and in North Manhattan Beach. Irvine said that the department already had footbeats, 2,000 of which took place over the past year. The majority happened downtown, she said.
Burton asked the chief if she needed more money to implement more footbeats.
“Three to five years from now, I’d like to have people say, ‘Manhattan Beach: That’s the city with the footbeats,’” said Burton.
Irvine said she was working with the city manager to figure out what she would need. ER
