Oct 26, 2008 9:10 am US/Pacific
Cameras Watch For Prostitution In Lynwood
LYNWOOD
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The surveillance cameras cost about $20,000 each, for a total of about $250,000, and the city of Lynwood is willing to make the investment if it means people will think twice before coming to the area for prostitution.
CBS
Pros and johns and other criminals best stay out of Lynwood.
That's the message officials in the South Los Angeles community are trying to send by installing surveillance cameras on major thoroughfares throughout the city.
"We have had problems for a long time, and the businesses and residents that reside in that area said, `you know, we need to do something about it,"' said Lynwood Mayor Maria Santillan.
Four surveillance cameras are currently being monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the city is planning to install nine more by early December.
The cameras cost about $20,000 each, for a total of about $250,000, Santillan said.
The Sheriff's Department is in charge of monitoring the cameras.
"A john would come into the city and would want to solicit a prostitute, well, the cameras can be used to zoom in on the individuals, take photographs of, or videotape the incident, take a very good picture of the individual --you can use it to prosecute him later after the fact, you can use it to post it on the Web site," sheriff's Lt. Ely Vera said.
The cameras are also being used to catch taggers and other criminals.
"We don't want you here in Lynwood, do not come to Lynwood because you will be arrested," Santillan said.
City officials credited the cameras for a 14 percent decrease in crime.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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