Sep 19, 2007 3:59 pm US/Pacific
Caught On Tape: You, If You're A Tagger!
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (CBS) ―
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The Q Star cameras, which are activated by nearby motion, flash a bright light and play a recorded message saying, "Stop! It is illegal to vandalize this area. Your photo has just been taken and we will use this photograph to prosecute you. Leave now!"
CBS
Hoping to combat graffiti and slow the increase of gang violence in the San Fernando Valley, Councilwoman Wendy Greuel on Wednesday announced the installation of the first of 13 Q Star talking security cameras in her district.
"These cameras will serve as a deterrent and help the LAPD catch criminals," Greuel said. "This is an important step in cleaning up our streets by standing together to declare a war against graffiti in Council District 2."
On the North Hollywood street where the first camera was installed, city crews were deployed in the past month alone to remove 47 different pieces of graffiti at a cost of $2,000, Greuel said.
According to the councilwoman, the cameras are being placed at strategic locations that have been frequent targets of graffiti in the district, which includes Valley Glen, Tujunga, Sunland and Sun Valley.
The Q Star cameras, which are activated by nearby motion, flash a bright light and play a recorded message saying, "Stop! It is illegal to vandalize this area. Your photo has just been taken and we will use this photograph to prosecute you. Leave now!"
Greuel's office will contribute $35,000 in matching funds to help install 10 additional cameras in the district, while working with Neighborhood Watch commanders, Neighborhood Councils and other organizations to identify the best places to install the Q Star cameras.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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