SETTING A COURSE FOR A SECURE CITY INNOVATORS

City adds AI-powered video monitoring to reduce crime and ensure a safer community.

The City of Pico Rivera, located in the heart of Southern California, is a community committed to providing safe, well-maintained public facilities for its residents and the wider community. However, like many cities, Pico Rivera has faced significant challenges in recent years with increasing incidents of vandalism, theft, and crime, particularly in its public parks, recreational areas, and the city-owned golf course. The city, which is known for its proactive approach to public safety, found itself at a crossroads. It wanted to find a better way to protect community assets and spaces while staying within strict budgetary constraints.

Pico Rivera is located in southeastern Los Angeles County, Calif. With a population of 62,088, it is situated approximately 11 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, and on the southern edge of the area known as the San Gabriel Valley. Formed by merging two historic communities, Pico and Rivera, the city was officially incorporated in January 1958 as the 61st city in Los Angeles County. Originally an agricultural area, the community evolved into a residential and industrial area following the end of World War II.

Pico Rivera Golf Club offers golfers a well-maintained nine-hole course nestled in the heart of Southern California, featuring manicured greens, strategically placed bunkers, and scenic views catering to seasoned players and amateur golfers. But the course was increasingly seen as a ripe opportunity for thieves who targeted its golf carts. Frequent acts of vandalism, theft of golf carts and and its club car parts disrupted operations and resulted in significant economic impacts The golf course's location near river bends and areas known for homeless encampments also made it particularly vulnerable to security and safety issues, especially during late-night hours when the facility was closed.

Other security measures, such as hiring security guards, had been tried but proved expensive and unreliable. On several occasions, security guards could not effectively monitor the entire area or respond to incidents in real time. It became clear that the city required a different solution that could offer round-the-clock vigilance without breaking the city's budget

"We were eager to find a solution to the crime occurring at the golf course, as the course is a great source of pride for the community,” said Steve Carmona, City Manager “Traditional methods fell short, so we looked outside the box, evaluating solutions incorporating AI and intelligence

to make a real difference ”

As a strong proponent of leveraging technology for public safety, city leadership decided to pilot a new approach by deploying Netwatch, a comprehensive AI-enabled video system that could not only detect incidents but even stop crime from happening in the first place.

Netwatch offers intelligent video monitoring services that help ensure safer, secure environments. It goes beyond standard video monitoring it’s an active, immediate deterrent. The solution’s video intelligence software detects security incidents and alerts Netwatch operators manning stations from a central monitoring center These operators then communicate directly with the intruders by identifying information, such as what they are wearing and their location, and urge them to vacate the premises This immediate, live response significantly reduces the opportunity for potential threats to escalate and enhances the site’s overall security posture

The system’s ability to issue live voice warnings to potential intruders made it clear that the golf course was no longer an easy target If individuals did not heed the warnings and leave the premises, the sheriff’s department was promptly dispatched to handle the situation This combination of immediate deterrence and swift law enforcement response created a strong deterrent effect Word quickly spread that the golf course was leveraging a new type of technology to secure its premises, leading to a significant reduction in incidents

The success at the golf course was just the beginning Encouraged by the initial positive results, the city decided to expand the use of PVM to other locations across Pico Rivera. The decision was made to replace these systems with Netwatch, expanding coverage to the Public Works Yard, the multifunctional building used by the Water Department and the Sheriff's Office, and other critical facilities. Public parks, which had also experienced their share of vandalism and unauthorized activities, were also added to the expansion list.

The growth of the Netwatch system was carefully measured against the potential cost savings and the value of protecting public assets A cost-benefit analysis revealed that the city was spending approximately $377,000 annually on security guards, while the implementation of the Netwatch camera system came at a substantially lower cost of $134,000 The difference was striking, and it showcased the financial soundness of moving towards the technology-driven solution

As the city continues to roll out Netwatch technologies across its facilities, there is a clear plan to gradually reduce its reliance on traditional security guards Instead, it plans to augment guards with the Netwatch solution, moving more sites to Netwatch to allow security personnel to focus on more critical projects The AI-enabled video monitoring solution’s ability to provide 24/7 monitoring, coupled with the effectiveness of its talk-down capability, also allows the city to maintain a comprehensive level of security while reallocating budgetary resources to other pressing needs as required.

“Public safety is a top priority for both the residents and the elected officials of Pico Rivera,” said Carmona. “In a time when economic pressures are creating opportunities for criminal activity, the city’s approach to integrating technology with traditional law enforcement is proving to be a forward-thinking strategy By partnering with Netwatch, Pico Rivera is delivering on its promise to protect its community while setting an example for other cities facing similar

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