Mayor Garcetti Cites Privacy Concerns For Not Releasing Video Of Venice Shooting

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti resisted a call Thursday to release video of an LAPD officer fatally shooting a homeless man in Venice.

Speaking on KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO's "Ask The Mayor" program, Garcetti cited victims' privacy rights and an ongoing review of the footage from the May 5, 2015, shooting of 29-year-old Brendon Glenn as reasons not to immediately release the footage.

"Sometimes you have victims where you don't (want) to be releasing a video where — even if there is an officer-involved shooting — if there was a
victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, we have to provide privacy, too," he said.

Garcetti said that while he did "anticipate at some point" the videos would be released, he added that the footage was from a private video that is currently part of the District Attorney's investigation.

The city is expected to hold hearings to review policies for the release of videos, according to Garcetti, who said the city also has to take into account the privacy rights of crime victims.

A group of civil rights activists held a news conference Thursday calling on Garcetti and the LAPD to release the video, and called for full disclosure of all video from surveillance cameras or police body cameras in use-of-force cases.

Police Chief Charlie Beck has recommended that prosecutors file a criminal charge against Officer Clifford Proctor for the Venice shooting.

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