ICYMI: Rep. Mike Levin Delivers Funds for Oceanside Police Department Vehicle Cameras
Oceanside, CA – In case you missed it, U.S. Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) joined Oceanside Police Chief Fred Armijo, Captain Sean Marchand, Mayor Esther Sanchez, and others yesterday to discuss federal funding he delivered for the Oceanside Police Department to purchase vehicle cameras. Rep. Levin secured $587,000 in Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations legislation for the Oceanside Police Department to purchase vehicle cameras, including dash cams facing out the front windshield of the police vehicles as well as cameras for monitoring the back seat of the vehicles.
See below for highlights:
San Diego Union-Tribune: Oceanside police to get $587,000 to equip patrol cars with video cameras
By Phil Diehl
The Oceanside Police Department will get $587,000 in federal money to equip its patrol cars with forward-mounted dashboard video cameras and back seat video monitors, Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, announced Monday.
“This project enhances the existing body-worn camera system utilized by the Police Department, expanding the number of perspectives on an incident where police action occurs,” states a news release from Levin’s office.
The vehicle-mounted cameras are designed to interact automatically with all nearby body-worn cameras when the officer driving the police car takes certain actions. The system is intended to limit human error in times of stress and ensure police policy is followed, the release states.
Police administrators have said the cameras increase transparency and accountability within the department, and help keep the community safe.
In September 2020, the Oceanside City Council approved a $1.89 million contract for its Police Department to buy 225 body-worn cameras along with maintenance, replacements and unlimited data storage for five years. Axon Enterprise, Inc., the same company that provides body cameras to most other law enforcement agencies in the county, was awarded the contract.
Oceanside was one of the first North County police departments to get the chest-mounted cameras about seven years ago. Since then, the systems have become commonplace and are widely supported by police and the public.
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Fox5: Oceanside police ready to put cameras in patrol vehicles
By Jason Sloss
OCEANSIDE, Calif. — The Oceanside Police Department will soon have cameras in its patrol vehicles.
Congressman Mike Levin (D-49th District) announced recently that he secured $587,000 in federal funding for the new cameras.
“We can support law enforcement and improve policing at the same time,” said Levin during a news conference outside the police station.
Oceanside Police Chief Fred Armijo says the cameras will help with service calls, crime investigations and add another level of transparency.
“We’re trying to create more windows of opportunity for people to see into the organization. There’s also things such as training — we’ll be able to see things that have taken place for real — critique them and work on how we can do it better next time,” said Armijo.
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Armijo says with law enforcement under scrutiny and heightened concerns over misconduct, the cameras will provide an added layer of protection for police and the public.
“It does provide another set of eyes that can provide clarity and context to situations that may otherwise not be there,” said Armijo.
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CBS8: Oceanside PD Gets Funding for New Cameras
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