Valley Glen residents install security cameras in neighborhood to help curb crime

VALLEY GLEN, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A group of Valley Glen residents has taken crime prevention into its own hands by installing security cameras and posting signs in the neighborhood.

The cameras went up last year in the neighborhood. There are signs on power poles and on private property warning you that the cameras are in use 24/7.

Debbie Stopeck, who has lived in the neighborhood her entire life, helped organize the effort.

Stopeck said she and her neighbors had experienced a rash of burglaries and wanted to see whether cameras could help.

"Why don't we try it for a year and see if it makes a difference in the crime," she said.

She found Flock Safety. It's a camera company that specializes in security cameras and license plate readers. A sales representative sold the neighbors on installing a few cameras along Crewe Street.

"The neighbors... they were interested. Especially when he said that within 15 seconds of a car passing our camera that has a stolen plate or has been reported as a stolen car that pings LAPD," Stopeck said.

Neighbors raised thousands of dollars needed to install the cameras and put up the signs. They're paying the monthly fee to keep the cameras on.

However, nearly two dozen signs were posted on city power poles and other city-owned spots, creating an issue.

L.A. City Councilman Adrin Nazarian, who represents the neighborhood, addressed the matter in a written statement to Eyewitness News.

"I love the proactive community engagement I'm seeing in neighborhoods like this and I appreciate the initiative these neighbors have taken to protect their community," the statement said. "We'll be working with the Department of Transportation and community members to make sure that signage is displayed in the manner most appropriate to ensure public safety."

Resident Michael Mercado said the project has changed the way many neighbors feel about their safety.

"It's really improved our sense of security generally," he said. "The neighborhood's talked about it, how we are really essentially crime-free since the signs went up."

Nazarian's office says they're working on scheduling a meeting between the councilman and the neighbors to talk about what to do with the signage.