West Hollywood City Council will decide at their upcoming meeting Monday night whether to put down the cash for three major upgrades to the city’s public safety arsenal:
‘Proactive Security Monitoring’
The city currently does not have the technology for proactive monitoring of its security camera infrastructure at its various facilities. This proposed measure would enable 24/7 monitoring to detect potential threats quickly.
Polaris Utility Task Vehicle
City Hall wants this battle-ready golf cart to “address mobility issues during major events and emergencies.” These vehicles are capable of navigating various terrains and could be useful in crowded or restricted-access areas.
Ballistic Protection
The city wants bulletproof partitions and fittings to protect against potential intrusions or attacks.
Council will decide whether to allocate $815,000 for the proactive security monitoring pilot program, the purchase and maintenance of the Polaris Utility Task Vehicle and the installation of ballistic protection.
Council will also discuss policy development for future safety enhancements, including the use of drones as first responders, fixed real-time cameras, a real-time watch center, weapon detection at city facilities, and a visitor management system. These policies are aimed at ensuring effective and responsible implementation of these technologies.
These discussions trace back to a special meeting on August 14, 2023, with City Council and the Public Safety Commission, where the need for focused security enhancements at locations like City Hall and Council Chambers was highlighted. Subsequent outreach was conducted with various commissions for additional input on the proposed security measures.
Active shooter incidents at city halls in the United States appear to be very rare — WEHOonline could not find one instance of such an attack.
Polaris utility vehicles are made primarily for rural areas and rugged terrain but are increasingly being used in law enforcement for a variety of applications. In urban environments, these vehicles can assist in controlling crowds at large events, such as WeHo Pride. Their ability to navigate amid large crowds or through tight spaces makes them effective for maintaining order during festivals, parades, or protests. In the aftermath of natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, or hurricanes, Polaris vehicles can be used for navigating through debris or flooded areas to reach affected people and deliver aid.
Additionally, the city is upgrading its emergency communication platform, expected to be operational by early 2024. This upgrade is intended to improve communication with residents and coordination during emergencies.
“battle-ready golf cart” REALLY? “navigating various terrains” WHAT, UPHILL? “increasingly being used in law enforcement for a variety of applications” SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE WAN TS A NEW TOY—-AND THEY WILL USE IT.
Why purchase a UTV for $40,000 and maintence of $1000 per year when one can rent this vehicle on a needed basis for around $150 a day for specia events? None of these implementations are for our puclic safety or convenience. These are all measures that staff and council want for themselves.
While I recognize there is a need to keep up with the times and stay current with technology, this seems more like city officials falling for a sales pitch from the public safety industry. Politics and social reform movements have scared them away from practical and proven methods of public safety/law enforcement, resulting in salespeople moving in with their flashy “bell & whistle” alternatives.
Like slobbering lap dogs, our “leaders” are so desperate for approval they schizophrenically jump at every carrot dangled in front of them by military surveillance tech peddlers and “woke” social justice reformers alike… with no regard to principle or practicality.
Are these meant to be ornaments on the Christmas Public Safety Tree? Boots on the ground and common sense has been effective for eons. The BLM scramble got everyone hysterical, looking for new gadgets snd calibrations recorded in staff reports. Not practical ideas.
For fuh sakes, people.
24/7 surveillance?
A Polaris utility vehicle? If the cops think 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 one, let WHSD buy it.
We should implement whatever we can afford. Have to stay on top of things to maintain the advantage against those that seek to do harm to others.
I wish the City Council would spend as much time thinking about the public’s safety as it seems to have devoted to their personal safety. Some of these Council members and their allies objected to the Sheriffs being present at the Council meetings. It is hard be believe that these proposals represent the community’s priorities. This is just a staff generated wish list. How about increasing security by lessening response times? What about ongoing issues with abandoned properties? I am not sure what the point of “enhancing” communications between the public and law enforcement unless you can show it will… Read more »
Oh this will pass. This has NOTHING to do with residents and everything to do with the holy administration of West Hollywood.
This seems ridiculous, if any place is going to get attacked it’s our densely packed clubs. Re-fund the Sheriff so we have enough deputies to patrol and respond to incidents, not a bunch of unarmed kids in spandex who can’t do anything.
I have a cheaper idea: Vote Gascon out and get someone who will keep the criminals in prison.
👍👏👏👏👏👏👏
Will be interesting to see if the three irresponsible council members–Shyne, Erickson, and Byers, if you haven’t been paying attention–can muster the integrity to vote to protect citizens.