Recent violent incidents in Los Angeles illustrate an urgent need to improve public safety.
On April 24 at 2:30 a.m., a Korean-American security guard at Hannam Chain mall in Koreatown was stabbed multiple times by robbers and critically injured. Two days earlier, a woman in her 60s was stabbed to death by a homeless man on a Metro train headed to the Universal/Studio City station. On the evening of April 13, a Metro bus driver was assaulted, stabbed, and critically injured at 119th Street and Wilmington Avenue in South Los Angeles.
These shocking acts of violence have traumatized residents and left them feeling that crime could strike at any time, anywhere. While the Los Angeles Police Department has pledged to address the rising crime rate, tangible improvements have yet to materialize. Both property crimes and violent crimes are on the rise, leading to increasing anxiety among residents. It’s time to move beyond excuses of budget constraints and understaffing—something must be done to ensure public safety.
One promising solution is the expansion of real-time crime response centers. These systems allow police to view surveillance camera footage from businesses and residential areas in real time, enabling rapid response to crimes in progress. Currently, three LAPD stations operate such centers, and their effectiveness has prompted the Los Angeles City Council to consider expanding them to all 21 LAPD stations.
The effectiveness of surveillance cameras is evident in several recent cases. The suspect in the Metro stabbing case was tracked and arrested using footage from surveillance cameras at Metro stations. Similarly, after a brutal attack on two women in Venice on April 6, police were able to identify and arrest the suspect thanks to security footage provided by local businesses and residents.
While surveillance cameras don’t prevent crime, they play a crucial role in gathering evidence and identifying suspects. This, in turn, can have a deterrent effect on potential offenders.
Between March and June 2023, a trio of thieves targeted family-owned and operated restaurants and retail stores in the Los Angeles area, particularly those owned by Asian Americans. Surveillance camera footage was instrumental in their arrest, allowing police to identify and arrest the culprits.
Despite these successes, there are still not enough surveillance cameras installed, and access to existing footage requires permission from residents and business owners. Privacy concerns have been raised by human-rights organizations, but ensuring public safety in a city with major international events like the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics must be a top priority. As Los Angeles prepares to host international events, the city must prioritize public safety to ensure that its residents and visitors feel secure.
Expanding real-time crime response centers and installing more surveillance cameras can make a significant difference in reducing crime and improving public safety in Los Angeles. It’s time to act for a safer city.
