The on Thursday evening unanimously voted in favor of spending more than $50,000 to purchase two separate security systems that will monitor both Monte Vista Street and the intersection of York Boulevard and North Figueroa Street.
The final vote comes after months of the issue being repeatedly tabled, as the council attempted to workaround the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment's (DONE) insistence that they enter into a contract with their preferred vendor, R&D Systems.
"The city has unit rates that they get from vendors, and they really prefer that we work with those vendors," HHPNC President Chris Smith said.
The board had hoped to shop around for the security system, or at least hear a presentation from R&D Systems. However--as violence increased throughout Highland Park, and in the neighborhood earlier on Thursday--the board appeared eager to move forward.
"We are being guided by DONE, but there's nothing we can do but move forward," said HHPNC member Rick Marquez.
The funding for the cameras comes from two distinct sources.
According to HHPNC President Chris Smith, the board set aside $24,858 in 2009 to purchase the security system for York and Figueroa. The $31,049 for the Monte Vista cameras comes from Council District 1.
Smith said that Thursday evening's vote was mostly "ceremonial" as the board had already voted to purchase the cameras in 2009, and that the funds from CD 1 were set aside to buy the cameras.
The board will likely need to set aside added funds in the future to pay for the cost of service and upkeep to the cameras, Smith said.
The precise location of the cameras will be determined by the Los Angeles Police Department.
According to Smith, the cameras will monitor public areas where there is no expectation of privacy. Still, some community members have raised concerns about the police using cameras to monitor private citizens. There is currently one security system linked to LAPD Northeast operating near the corner of Avenue 50 and York Boulevard.
And, there is no such thing as a "ceremonial vote". If money has been approved nothing else needs to be done. This article is not clear on WHO is spending the money. It makes no sense.
The money from CD1 was not exactly donated. It is taxpayer money that is suppose to get used for the neighborhood. David, thanks for the clarification. That made it clear.
I understand that DONE allowed this to happen but I wonder how and why. Rules are rules.