The city of bellflower is using grant funding for the purchase, installation, and system integration of security camera systems at multiple locations

The City of Bellflower received a $870,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the Congressionally Recommended Awards (CFDA 16.753) program. The grant funding will be used to purchase, install, and integrate security camera systems at multiple locations throughout the city. This is intended to deter criminal activity, enable quicker and more accurate law enforcement response to incidents, and provide virtual monitoring capabilities. Additionally, the grant will support modernization of the city's two-way radio system and installation of a server battery backup system, further enhancing the city's public safety infrastructure and capabilities. The project performance period is from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2028.

Not unlike other cities in greater southern california, crime increases over the past five years have left our community wanting more safety and security over the past five years city facilities have experienced more crime specifically centered around thefts, gang members loitering, vandalism, and shootings. More security and surveillance are needed to help facilitate and deter criminal activity and behavior. The use of camera systems will provide law enforcement with a virtual eye in the sky monitoring of criminal activity in key areas. Having access to live footage of activity will enable responding deputy personnel to respond quicker, more accurately, and safely to calls for service. In addition to the aforementioned use of fundingfor a citywide security camera system grant fundswill also be used to modernize the city's current 2-way radio system and to install a server battery backup system. All of the proposed items will be significant improvements to the overall public safety offerings which the city of bellflower will have.