Palisades Councilwoman's Westside Safety Plan: Plate Readers, LAPD Overtime

LOS ANGELES, CA — Pacific Palisades and the Westside would get a fleet of license plate readers and more public safety patrols as part of a package of public safety improvements proposed by Councilwoman Traci Park this week.

The 11th District councilman announced her "A Safer 11 for a Better 11" initiative alongside Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell and District Attorney Nathan Hochman on Monday. The plan calls for public safety-focused improvements in her district, which stretches from the Palisades to Westchester between the coast and the 405 Freeway.

Here's what she's proposing:

• License plate readers: 100 automated plate readers would be installed throughout the district, which Park said would allow the LAPD to deter crime and respond to incidents quickly.
• $200,000 in LAPD overtime funding: The discretionary funds would support additional patrols, particularly around interim homeless housing sites, Park said.
• Venice Beach Rangers: Starting in January, Venice Beach would receive dedicated weekly park ranger patrols to enhance safety at the beach, which Park said is the city's most visited public park.
• Tree Trimming: An additional $100,000 would be allocated for tree trimming, which Park said would help improve lighting and visibility on streets.
• Library Safety: Park plans to introduce a motion "to reassess and strengthen security at CD11 libraries, protecting librarians, families, and patrons from unacceptable safety challenges," she said.

"This public safety package is about taking bold, innovative action to protect our neighborhoods and ensure that every resident feels safe and secure," Park said. "Our objective is straightforward — to reclaim our neighborhoods by delivering the safety our constituents deserve."

Park said she plans to introduce motions at the City Council's Tuesday meeting to help put her plans into motion.

“This is totally a comprehensive public safety package bringing all the stakeholders together to address the issues of the day,” McDonnell said.

Hochman said the package sends a clear message to criminals: "For far too long they believed they could act with impunity. That stops today."