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Only On 9: Long Beach Fights Increasing Crime Problem With Surveillance Cameras

LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Residents in Long Beach fed up with an increase in murder, mayhem and mischief  are taking a new look at crime.

Literally.

Crime is up in parts of the city, and now the City Council and police are taking a stand. They're fighting back with cameras.

KCAL9's Peter Daut reports the story that is Only On 9.

In Long Beach, some kids are playing a simple game of hide and seek.

While just feet away, new cameras are seeking something else: criminals.

Until now, Seaside Park has not been a place Jessica Quintana felt comfortable taking her grandchildren.

"I want my grandkids to be able to come out to their community, to their parks and feel safe," says Quintana.

City officials say this has been one of the most violent summers in Long Beach in several years.

In June, a 21-year-old woman was found shot to death in alley. This happened just days after a a 37-year-old man was gunned down in public.

But now, there are 18 new security cameras in one of the city's most dangerous neighborhoods, with a dozen alone at Seaside Park.

"There's about four more that will be in the south side of the park," says Lena Gonzalez of the Long Beach City Council.

Gonzalez used $100,000 of city money to install the cameras which broadcast live to police. She hopes the cameras will cut down on crime and help families feel more at ease.

"I think we'll start to see this a lot more especially here in Long Beach, but I hope other cities can participate in this as well," Gonzalez said.

Quintana says she's noticed a huge difference and believes the cameras prevent crimes from happening.

"Now parents and mothers and fathers are feeling better about coming to the park," she said.

Daut reports police strongly support the cameras as a crime deterrent. And if the cameras prove successful at curtailing crime, the city says it will install more.

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