For the past 10 years the city has suffered from gang related crime and prostitution, prevalent along Long Beach Boulevard, Lynwood’s busiest thoroughfare, according to the local sheriff department.
In 2008, the Los Angeles sheriff’s department, Century Station, under the direction of James Hellmold, implemented a tactical surveillance trial in partnership with Leverage Information Systems using IndigoVision’s IP video technology combined with Leverage’s surveillance node units.
Cameras were installed using a wireless network at the entrances to two hospitals and at Century Station. Shortly after beginning the trial, the Century Station command centre caught on camera an incident that enabled the sheriff’s department to intervene and neutralise an escalating situation between two warring gangs.
Taking the city back
Based on the success of this trial, the system was expanded to cover Long Beach Boulevard. It was hoped that prostitution in the area could be curbed as a result.
By the end of the year, Lynwood’s Advance Surveillance and Protection program was born. Its goal was to keep the community united and working as a team to “take their city back”.
In early 2009, the installation was completed with cameras located on the Long Beach Boulevard corridor and in other targeted areas around the city.
Speaking about the project, Hellmold said: “I don’t like to name other cities, but I can tell you that Lynwood crime statistics are significantly lower.”
“Whereas in the past, Lynwood used to be thought of as a dangerous and violent area, it’s now been turned around and businesses are seeking to invest in the area.”
Lowest number of homicides in more than a decade
According to the sheriff’s department, efforts have resulted in the lowest number of homicides in the city since 1985.
“It is because of the cameras that criminals know that they cannot mess around with Lynwood. We have had several recorded interviews with criminals who have admitted that they knew not to enter the city with the intention of committing a crime,” Hellmold said.
In 2010 the city won the All-America City Award, which recognises communities that come together to identify and take on challenges and accomplish results through the criteria such as dedication, inclusiveness and innovation.
Speaking about the award, mayor Maria Santillan praised the CCTV solution. She said:
“The city has come a long way and that the surveillance camera program has a lot to do with the improvements, along with an aggressive plan to attack violent crime between the sheriff’s department, the city and residents.”
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