Photo MarchEssay 10, 2015
EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
FEATURES
EYE
IN THE
SKY
Budget costs and security camera numbers not released by ECPD. Rocky Rivera Sports Editor @ECCUnionRocky
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distraught student runs to the police department. She talks to an officer and tells them that she was held at gunpoint and ordered to march with a fellow student in the Humanities building. The officer files the report and the police department rolls back the tape. The student is seen walking side-by-side with the suspect but no gun is in sight. The police show the student the tape and she comes clean. The suspect did not really have a gun. The student just made up the story because she did not want her parents to know she was willfully hanging out with the suspect. Cases like these occur spradically on campus and with the help of surveillance equipment, it’s made the job much more easier for EC’s police department. Police Chief Michael Trevis, has stated that EC has several hundred cameras stationed throughout the campus. “They’re just about everywhere,” Trevis said. “There are plans to continue expanding a few a more in different places. I’m not in liberty for security reasons to tell you where they’re all at.” The campus police has installed cameras since about 2006, before the chief of police even arrived here in 2007, Trevis said. “Once people realize that there are cameras on campus they tend to think about committing crimes because you’re on camera,” Trevis said. “We have cameras in the library for example and as thefts have occurred the suspect is clearly seen exiting in many cases we’re able to identify whom the suspect is.
we’re sending this stuff out to other colleges.” The issue of body cameras worn by LAPD officers and famously in Russia are not a mandatory but strongly suggested. ECPD officers do not wear these cameras.
Body cams and recorders
“I am researching that here to see if (body cameras are) something that might be valuable to us; of course there’s budgetary issues involved,” Trevis said. “There has to be upkeep on this the right servers to save this stuff but we’re looking at that sort of stuff here. “ ECPD does carry the more financially feasible audio recorders that are worn at all times while an officer is on duty. The estimated cost of these recorders is $1,507.20 over five years Trevis said. “Each recorder is roughly $62.80. That’s the recorder software that downloads there’s 24 of us .... and that’s what we budget,” Trevis said. “Generally what (I’m told) is we order new ones once every five years.”
cameras on their location was explained by Community Relations Director Ann Garten. “Initially the cameras were put throughout campus in strategic locations as recommended by the Police Department,” Garten said. “When you tear down one building and build another (like the MBA building) it’s a completely different floor plan to the others.”
Privacy
Invasion of privacy is not an concern in terms of surveillane Trevis said. “These cameras are in open spaces so there is no issue in an open place, Trevis said. “If you’re in an open public space there might be a camera there now. Naturally, if you’re home or if you’re in the dentist office there’s an expectation of privacy in these places.” When pressed about the number of cameras per building Trevis “respectfully declined” to comment stating that for security reasons he could not disclose that information. “I realize that the public has the right to know. I get that and I’m 100% for it,” Trevis said. “I also have a duty to protect that same public and I worry about some criminal out there that gets this information and now he or she conducts counter measures.” The cameras take images and
“I realize that the public has the right to know (the location of all security cameras, but) I also have a duty to protect that same public and I worry about some criminal out there that gets this information.” - Chief of Police Michael Trevis
Networking with colleges
ECPD networks with other colleges and police agencies to catch criminals off campus. A recent example was a bike thief that was caught at USC. “We had an individual involved in stealing some bikes,” Trevis said. “We got him on film and were trying to identify him. Turns out USC got him for bike theft. So we’re sharing this stuff
School shooting
Former student, James Lemus, was charged with threatening students and staff last semester. His court hearing is currently ongoing and is set to resume Tuesday, March 10. “I think regardless of Mr. Lemus or not the cameras play a role in safety period whether it’s here on campus or whether it’s at the mall.” The shooting that took place in the parking lot the first week of the Spring 2015 semester was discussed. Officers shot an individual in an apparent suicide by cop incident. Trevis said that there are cameras in the parking lot but did not follow up on any more details about the incident. “The sheriff’s department is conducting that investigation and I don’t want to comment on anything of that,” Trevis said. “I would respectfully refer that to the LAPD sheriff’s department.” The decision to place said
are sent to a central area that are then displayed in the police department and recorded. If suspicious activity is spotted, the police department will send a dispatcher to check out the scene. “We have dispatchers that see the camera they have this big screen that has all the little shots,” Trevis said.
Public Records Request
A public records request was sent to Chief Trevis for the budget of security cameras at EC as well as the specific number per building and campus section. Parker and Covert, Trevis’ legal representatives responded with a letter that said they have the right to not disclose certain information under government law. “Code section 6255 allows the District to withhold records from inspection where the public interest in not disclosing the record clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure of the record, or where the cost of producing the information is unduly burdensome,” according to the letter. Specific information regarding the number and location of campus security cameras requested was superceded by the right to protect the public according to the letter. “In this particular case, the District’s interest in law enforcement and protecting the safety and security of the campus, as well as the safety and security of students, staff, and the public on campus, outweighs the public interest,” according to the letter.
John Fordiani/ Union Chief of Police Michael Trevis has been at EC since 2008. Installation of surveillance cameras began about a year before he arrived, Trevis said.
Possession of records regarding the specific costs associated with maintaining and operating the security cameras is not available at all according to the letter. “Records pertaining to the cameras are not maintained separately from other operating budget information. Thus, the cost of locating and producing the information you have requested is unduly burdensome
and will not be disclosed.” However, a rough estimate of the total number of cameras was released and their visibility to the average citizen. “EC Chief of Police Michael J. Trevis (said) that the College currently operates more than 150 surveillance cameras on campus” the letter stated. “All of the security cameras on campus are in plain view.”
Security cameras at local colleges School
El Camino Antelope Valley Glendale L.A. Harbor
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Cameras* 150 10 20 60
Enrollment 24,224 14,408 21,376 11,149
*estimated number according to school officials; College of the Canyons and Cypress refused to release information due to security reasons. Four other colleges including Compton Center did not return calls about this story.