iWatchLA
editThe iWatch program is a Los Angeles community program based on the concept of keeping Los Angeles safe. The iWatch program helps to enlighten the community of Los Angeles to know what sort of suspicious behaviors and/or undertakings that terrorists might attempt. Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratten helped to develop this community based program. The iWatch program has expanded to the Los Angeles International Airport as well as the Port of Los Angeles.
http://www.lapdonline.org/newsroom/news_view/47770
The iWatch community program is designed to keep the Los Angeles area safe from all types of terrorist activities. It is an alliance between the public of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police. The Police and citizens of Los Angeles believe that they must work together to keep their city safe.
What Should be reported
editThere is a plethora of suspicious activites that a resident of Los Angeles should report. Citizens of Los Angeles should be on the lookout for incredulous people mearsuring important structures for no reason. They should also report about left behind unmarked packages of any kind. The iWatch program informs the people of Los Angeles to say someabout unauthorized people asking about a buildings blueprints of security procedures. Also, any kind of chemical fume foriegn to a certain area should be reported. The residents of the Los Angeles community should speak up about anyone purchasing any type of uniform without the proper credentials. Residenta of Los Angeles should also watch out for the buying of any material that could be made into explosives or weapons.
Important Structures
editSome important areas to look out for are religious buildings or monuments, government buildings, bridges, hotels, schools or any other place where there could be a massive congregation of people.
Public Safety First
editThe iWatch program for the City of Los Angeles is not a call to arms for citizens or the right for vigilante justice, but rather a call for the public to be more aware of the actions that are happening around them. The iWatch program provides an outlet for the citizens to let the authorities know what's going on, so they can act upon it. This will ensure the safety of the citizens of Los Angeles and put the proper people in place to take care of the situation.
Concerns
editAlthough many citizens of Los Angeles enjoy the idea of a community coming together in support of each others safety, there are many questions that arise about public privacy. Some citizens of Los Angeles believe that the iWatch program may be in violation of their rights. However, Chief Bratton assures that the iWatch program is in respect of the American Civil Liberties Union. Another concern about the iWatch program is the issue of racial profiling. The iWatch program tell it's viewers to disregard race, ethnicity, religious affiliation and also sexual orientation when looking for suspicious individuals.
External Links
edithttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113546077 http://lapdonline.org/iwatchla http://www.lapdonline.org/newsroom/news_view/47770 http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/iWatch-Hopes-to-Fight-Terrorism-at-LAX-Not-an-iPhone-App-95532204.html