After a slew of smash-and-grab robberies, business owners and residents are seeking new ways to assist authorities and find a method to stop smash-and-grab authorities around Los Angeles.
Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retail Association discussed the uptick of robberies around the state. She said:
“There needs to be consequences for the behavior,”
She continued:
“There needs to be prosecution for people who do this behavior. But we need to figure out how we can do that most effectively.”
The issue of robberies around Los Angeles has become a drastic issue, law enforcement agencies have issued a tactical alert to all units. Police have also stepped up patrol in areas that have seen an uptick in robberies including Melrose and Fairfax.
The organization, Melrose Action, has taken initiative to help authorities seek out suspects of robberies. The organization has raised $28k to institute a new camera program that would help authorities.
“Instituting Advanced License Plate Recognition Camera Program up in the Melrose District in anonymous locations to try to help our law enforcement partners capture some of these bad actors,”
said the co-founder of Melrose Action Peter Nichols
These cameras will be similar to the ones found in malls and stores. Nichols also commented:
“They operate completely independently, they’re autonomous,” ... “They don’t involve witnesses.”