Smile, You’re on Camera…
Whether you were given a minor “fix-it” ticket or just let off with a warning, you can bet everything was caught on video by Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s motor deputies new helmet cameras. Motorcycle deputies at the station have just recently acquired approval and funding for new six helmet-mounted cameras meant to record and retain information on every traffic stop the deputy makes throughout the day. The light weight, aero dynamic design makes the Contour the perfect match for the helmets.
The Contour+2 is the most recently available video camera of this type and is capable of recording HD footage on a wide angle lens in order to capture all the details of the deputy’s interaction with other motorists. Unlike stationary cameras mounted inside other police cruisers, the helmet cameras capture everything from the motor deputy’s point of view, including a clear image of vehicle occupants, license plate and vehicle description, driver’s license information, as well as the physical surrounding area of the traffic stop. Everything the deputy sees, the camera sees, up close and in detail. The recordings are downloaded at the end of each shift and stored on computers at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station.
As well as visual recordings, the cameras also record the audio track of traffic stops, all information that could prove invaluable should the motorist decide to take the issue to court. Senior motor officer, Deputy McGee, researched the different types of cameras, as well as a way to fund the program, after he had to pull out his personal cell phone to record a situation with an unhappy motorist who was stopped for speeding. The video from Deputy McGee’s cell phone was the deciding evidence that the DA used to file charges against the violator. “It would have been much safer to use a helmet cam” Deputy McGee stated. On average, motor deputies make about 20 traffic stops a day. When a future court day may be months away, data from these cameras assist the deputy in being able to recall minor details to portray the most accurate scenario possible, and to clear up any discrepancies.
Along with capturing information for record keeping, and possibly the most important purpose of the cameras, they also provide data that could prove useful as officer safety information. Should a deputy witness any type of violent crime, traffic accident, or himself become involved in a fight where suspect information is needed immediately, information can immediately be retrieved from these new cameras. Equipped with real-time GPS and designed to upload content onto a computer via a 4GB memory card, information can quickly be recovered in a life or death situation.
A big thank you to the Malibu/Lost Hills Booster club, a 501© organization that provides equipment and training to the deputies that the Sheriff’s Department does not have funding for.
Prepared by: LET Heather Fuquay
Media Release Date: October 1, 2014
* Lost Hills Sheriff's Station polices the Cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu and Westlake Village, and the unincorporated communities of Chatsworth Lake Manor, Malibu Lake, Topanga, and West Hills:
For further information contact:
Malibu / Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
27050 Agoura Road
Agoura, CA 91301
(818) 878-1808
Website: www.LostHills.lasd.org
LASD HQ Text and Emails: http://www.Nixle.com
http://nixle.com/lasd---malibulost-hills-station-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LostHillsSheriffsStation
Twitter https://twitter.com/LHSLASD
