Councilmember Traci Park with L.A. Country District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced a new tool for fighting crime at a news conference on Monday.
Councilmember Traci Park held a press conference at 8:30 a.m. on December 9 at the Westchester Council Office to announce another tool for dealing with crime in her district.
She was joined by LAPD Police Chief Jim McDonnell and L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman to unveil a comprehensive public safety package, “A Safer 11 for a Better 11.”
The plan includes major investments in LAPD overtime, funding for cutting-edge Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), additional resources for urban forestry services like tree trimming and dedicated rangers.
After the presentation, CTN spoke to McDonnell to better understand how ALPRs will work. Basically, there will be special cameras in police cars, fixed to poles, in police trailers and in some cases, community cameras that will be shared with police.
In many criminal cases in Pacific Palisades, the cars transporting criminals have been stolen, the license plates stolen, or the cars have been rentals. McDonnell was asked “How will the cameras be helpful?”
McDonnell said if the car has been stolen or if a car has a stolen license plate, officers will be able to stop the vehicles. “An alert will be used for a lost or stolen plate,” he said. “It’s another tool in the toolbox.”
“If police get a report in a neighborhood, the cameras can scan vehicles,” McDonnell said. He was asked specifically about Pacific Palisades with its one police car. He said that he would work with Councilmembers to “find out where cameras are going,” and he had heard that the Palisades community was also working on cameras.
McConnell was also asked about 911 staffing. He said that he had just attended a class of 57 people who are vetted and “eager to go.” He said another similar-sized class will graduate soon. About 911 operators, he said, “They multitask like no one I’ve ever seen before.”
He was asked about department funding, is it adequate? “We could do more with more,” said McDonnell, who noted that the department was down in personnel. “We’ve been through a difficult period in history, but LAPD is hiring, both professionals and sworn peace officers.”
Park said afterwards that she hears her residents and their concerns about crime and safety. The Councilmember told CTN that, “We are making a big difference, but it is fragile. It’s a challenge to hold the ground we’ve gained.”
The City Council of 15 members is diverse and often does not hold the same views. Recently elected Ysabel Jurado to District 14 was heard saying “[expletive] the police.” Jurado also adds to the council’s progressive minority, which has supported expanded tenants’ rights, voted against pay increases for the L.A. Police Department and opposed arrests of unhoused people (the bloc also includes District 1’s Eunisses Hernandez, District 4’s Nithya Raman and District 13’s Hugo Soto-Martinez).
Park just announced her reelection campaign for 2026, and her ultimate goal is to improve CD 11, where she lives, so that when she steps down, “I can hand the district off in better shape than when I came aboard.”
LAPD, including LAPD Police Chief Jim McDonnell (third from left), attended Councilmember Park’s news conference introducing cameras. The department is currently short of personnel.