Council Agenda - City of Burbank

Tuesday, October 4, 2005

Agenda Item - 11

 

 

                                              CITY  OF  BURBANK

                                            POLICE DEPARTMENT

                                                  MEMORANDUM

 
 

 

DATE: October 4, 2005
TO: Mary J. Alvord, City Manager
FROM: Thomas Hoefel, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: USE OF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE TO COMBAT GRAFFITI

 

PURPOSE:

 

The purpose of this report is to follow-up on Councilmember Golonski�s August 23rd request that the issue of using video surveillance to combat graffiti be agendized.  This is the first step in the two-step agenda process.

 

BACKGROUND & ANALYSIS:

 

Graffiti is vandalism, and is a crime.  The Burbank Police Department maintains a Gang Detail and works closely with schools, community groups, and other City departments to aggressively battle the underlying causes of graffiti.  The strategy appears to be working, because over the past few years, the amount of graffiti has actually been declining. 

 

Unfortunately, graffiti still occurs, and its presence contributes to the perception of criminal activity in the community.  Public Works currently contracts with Graffiti Protective Coatings to have graffiti removed.  The chart below shows the number of incidents and costs for removal during the past three years.

 

 

Incidents

Cost

2003

8651

$105,602

2004

8361

$99,234

Through August 2005

4535

$52,213

 

Extrapolating the 2005 numbers would equate to approximately 6800 incidents at a cost of around $78,000.  The two most common areas for graffiti service calls were the 3000 block of West Burbank Boulevard. and Grismer Avenue between San Fernando and Glenoaks.

 

A recent article in the Los Angeles Times explained how the use of video surveillance had cut graffiti by 60% at Lake Street Park in the City of Los Angeles.  The Burbank Police Department possesses the ability to conduct video surveillances using a pole camera system.  This capability may be used to provide evidence against known offenders suspected in a variety of crimes, but is usually deployed in narcotics cases.  This tactic, though very effective, is costly and labor intensive.  The LAPD system is actively monitored 16 hours a day, and a team of bicycle officers is utilized to respond immediately to this extremely high crime area. 

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

The pole camera cost about $32,000, and was purchased with Homeland Security grant funding.  We have obtained an FCC license authorizing the use of the device.  Deploying the pole camera for graffiti abatement would be an effective, but costly tactic.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

Staff recommends that the Council discuss the matter to determine if staff should return with a more detailed �second step� report.

 

 

THOMAS HOEFEL

Chief of Police

 

 

 

 

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