Ferguson protesters are questioned.individually by LAPD officers about any outstanding warrants and were given.the chance to leave once they were processed on Alvarado Street near downtown Los Angeles Friday night, November 28, 2014, in response to the St. Louis, Missouri grand jury decision not to indict white Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown last August. Hundreds of people have been arrested in Los Angeles this week since the grand jury decision. UPI/Jim Ruymen |
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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Los Angeles police officers are set to be equipped with body cameras, announced Mayor Eric Garcetti Tuesday.
The decision was made in response to calls for nationwide reform after Officer Darren Wilson shot teenager Michael Brown while he was reportedly holding his hands in the air, telling Wilson not to shoot. The incident catalyzed racial tensions leading to protests in the suburban town and a forceful reaction from police. Wilson was not indicted for the shooting.
Nationwide outrage only intensified with the death of Eric Garner who died after an NYPD officer put him in a chokehold, resulting in his death. The officer was also not indicted.
"Out on the street, things aren't always clear-cut. These cameras will help law enforcement and the public alike find the truth," Garcetti told reporters.
Initially, 800 cameras will be placed on officers in areas of high crime and police activity. The next budget will allow for 7,000 cameras. All officers are expected to be outfitted with the devices by 2016.
Following the events in Ferguson, Mo., President Barack Obama proposed $260 million in spending on police body cameras and stricter regulations on distribution of military equipment to local police forces.
"What happens in the smallest town in these United States affects all of us. What happens in Ferguson, a town not even the size of one of the police divisions in LA, has affected us, but we're stepping up," said Police Chief Charlie Beck.
Garcetti said they will be applying for a part of these funds.
