Los Angeles turns cameras on gang graffiti

The new surveillance tool even speaks out loud to try to deter 'taggers' in the San Fernando Valley.

from the September 25, 2007 edition

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"This camera introduces the idea of deterrence at a whole new level," says Steve Hillsman, president of Q-Star Technology. "That means blanketing bigger areas, moving the cameras around, using dummy cameras as a way of really turning around a growing [graffiti] problem."

The California Air Resources Board has been using some versions of the camera to deter illegal trash dumping, including of couches, mattresses, and appliances in remote areas.

But L.A. city councilwoman Wendy Greuel wanted to turn the technology on the growing gang problem, noting that her constituents in the San Fernando Valley were complaining of a 300 percent rise of graffiti over the past six months.

"We have declared war on graffiti in my district," says Ms. Greuel. She has already worked to create neighborhood watch groups, ensure that graffiti is painted over, and plant vines and trees to obscure some surfaces. Her new tactic is to partner with senior LAPD officers to pinpoint areas where graffiti is proliferating.

Many residents say the new cameras seem to be having the desired effect.

"These cameras are better than what they've tried before," says truck driver Luis Amaya, who lives near a new installation at Fulton Avenue and Victory Boulevard in the valley. "It talks to you. I guess the word gets around."

It's also easy to find skeptics. "Taggers aren't going to be scared off by those things," says a 20-something who calls himself "Train with BNW." "It's too easy to put a mask on and then run at the last minute before they get you." He and five colleagues in a VW Jetta say they wish the city would spend the money to teach taggers how to paint and be more creative – and to reopen areas such as Venice Beach where graffiti artists once had spaces to paint legally.

Still others say the spending on new cameras – about $70,000 for 10 – is paltry compared with the $8 million the city spends on average each year for graffiti removal.

"I am grateful for this new attention in my neighborhood to eradicate a problem that has been soaring out of control," says Jose Rodriguez, who lives one block from a newly installed camera. "But if you think about how big the problem is compared to what they are doing about it, you realize it's only a drop in the bucket."

City officials say it is better to spend small amounts of money up front to prevent graffiti than to spend a lot of money to remedy it after the fact. "These will have deterrent value, no question," says Mr. Pacheco. "Some will be intent on trying to defeat this idea, but many will be caught and held accountable."

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