The city of Hemet is expanding its citywide camera network, adding nearly 50 monitoring devices to aid law enforcement in covering all parts of the municipality, officials said Thursday.
“Hemet is dedicated to exploring and implementing innovative solutions to ensure the safety and well-being of our community,” City Manager Mark Prestwich said. “These surveillance upgrades are a testament to the city’s ongoing commitment to public safety, quality of life and the effective use of technology in crime prevention and response.”
The City Council on Tuesday approved the use of $1.4 million in grants to fund the expansion, which involves the procurement and installation of 25 Flock Condor cameras, 20 Flock Safety Falcon cameras and the deployment of four LVT Mobile Surveillance units, according to officials.
“This initiative is more than just an investment in technology. It is an investment in our community’s well-being and our business partners,” police Chief Michael Arellano said.
Officials said that the new cameras will be strategically placed to monitor areas where they will prove most beneficial, including retail shopping centers and business districts.
Officers will have ready access to the system to monitor video feeds and recordings, facilitating investigations, according to the city.
The acquisitions were made possible, in part, through California Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program funding established under the 2022-23 state budget.