HACLA Announces Safety Camera Project at Public Housing Developments 

LOS ANGELES –   The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) announced the installation of 126 new cameras at Jordan Downs, Nickerson Gardens, Imperial Courts and Ramona Gardens public housing developments. The cameras will be linked into a video system monitored by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Existing cameras at Avalon Gardens, Mar Vista Gardens and Pico Gardens public housing developments will also be connected to LAPD’s monitoring system. The $6.8 M project is led by LAPD and is seen as a major tool to combat crime. The project will be paid for through funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“Using camera technology has proven to be successful in deterring and prosecuting crimes,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “The expansion of the video system will play a critical role in securing safe neighborhoods in some of the City’s most vulnerable communities.”

The portable cameras with license plate recognition technology will be mounted on poles throughout the public housing developments. LAPD sub-stations located nearest to the participating developments will monitor the video.  

“We have had a great deal of success with safety cameras at Jordan Downs public housing development,” said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck. “Stimulus funds provided a great opportunity to expand the program in other parts of the city. The cameras will be a large part of the overall strategy to continue to reduce crime and strengthen partnerships in the communities we serve.”

The Housing Authority is working with LAPD to help provide necessary support to expand and implement the safety camera program.

 “It is this agency’s goal not just to provide quality affordable housing, but to work with our city partners to explore and implement programs to enhance the security of our residents,” said HACLA Board Chair, Beatriz Stotzer. 

“Our residents have the right to feel safe in their neighborhood and in their home. Providing a safe environment is a critical component of HACLA’s Core Strategies and it is something that directly impacts a person’s quality of life,” said President and CEO of HACLA, Rudolf C. Montiel. “We are eager to work with LAPD to make every effort to provide a safer environment for our residents and the surrounding community.”