Cities across the county are taking measures to help curb the rising crime rates across Los Angeles. While the San Fernando Valley has enlisted the help of volunteer patrols to be the eyes and ears of the LAPD, Manhattan Beach amps up deterrence with the installation of license-plate reading cameras.

This fall, 7 license-plate reading cameras will be installed at entry and exit points of the City of Manhattan Beach. The exact locations will be at:

  • El Porto and 45th St. and Highland Ave.
  • Rosecrans and Sepulveda and Aviation Blvd.
  • Aviation at Marine Ave. and Manhattan Beach Blvd.
  • Artesia Blvd. at Sepulveda and Aviation

The installation of license-plate reading cameras will cost a total of $400,000, and the police will not constantly monitor the video feeds. Instead, the footage will be used to help locate suspect vehicles and assist police in to reacting to reported crimes. According to Police Chief Eve Irvine: “These are not surveillance cameras, these are security cameras – there’s a difference. I just want to make sure people know we’re not Big Brother, we’re not surveilling, we’re not watching over at all times.”

The cameras will not include audio recordings, and investigators will require a legitimate investigative reason to be able to view the footage. Data from the cameras will be removed from police servers after 30 days, and encrypted data will be deleted after 1-year. Basically, the cameras are being installed to assist police with knowing where and when a suspect entered or exited the area when investigators are looking into a serious crime.

Officials have explicitly stated that the footage will be used for significant crimes only, and not to enforce minor moving violations. For example, if someone reports that their car has been stolen, investigators may desire access to the footage to find out if the vehicle left the city, and if so, where and when. Nobody is going to receive a ticket in the mail because they changed lanes without signaling.

Robin Sandoval

Robin Sandoval

Robin Sandoval is a California Licensed Bail Bondsman and owner of SCV Bail Bonds. Robin writes blogs and articles to help increase community awareness of the bail industry. If you have questions or want to suggest a topic, email robin@scvbailbonds.com, visit www.scvbailbonds.com or call 661-299-2245.
Robin Sandoval
Robin Sandoval
Robin Sandoval

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