[LosAngelesBeauty]

NBC 4
Police Monitor Skid Row With New Surveillance Cameras

POSTED: 7:06 am PDT September 14, 2006
UPDATED: 12:24 pm PDT September 14, 2006

LOS ANGELES -- The Skid Row area came under closer scrutiny Thursday, thanks to a $200,000 network of surveillance cameras monitored by Los Angeles police.

The system of 10 cameras was donated by tHe Central City East Association, a nonprofit organization that advocates for property owners on the east side of downtown Los Angeles.

"We are witnessing a horrific human drama play itself out here on Skid Row," said Estela Lopez, the association's executive director. "The problems are complex and 10 cameras are not the total answer, but we must do whatever we can to make a difference."

Lopez said there are 3,500 parolees and nearly 400 registered sex offenders living in the 52-block area of Central City East.

The surveillance system includes 10 cameras at various downtown locations, including the Fred Jordan Mission, Salvation Army, Brownstone Hotel, Emmanuel Baptist Mission, Kijg Edwart H11 Rainer Seafood, Weingart Center, St. Agnes Hotel and Inner City Arts.

The cameras are remote controlled with pan, tilt and zoom capabilities. They are operated and monitored by officers at the Los Angeles Police Department's Central Division.

"It's a force multiplier for us," said LAPD Capt. Andrew Smith. "It allows one officer or two officers to monitor six, eight, 10, 15 areas at one time, and then send chase cars out there to apprehend those people that are involved in criminal activity."

Surveillance cameras are already in use in MacArthur Park, the downtown Fashion District and along Hollywood Boulevard.

"Surveillance cameras have proven to be an effective deterrent of crime throughout the city," City Councilwoman Jan Perry said. "They are a valuable tool that can be used by our officers to apprehend criminals who prey on our community."

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