Council Approves New Pasadena PD Helicopter Camera for $420K Despite Community Opposition

Pasadena’sVice Mayor Tyron Hampton and Councilman Victor Gordo couldn’t dissuaderemaining councilmembers from approving $420,000 for a “state of the art”surveillance camera for Pasadena Police Department’s air operations duringMonday’s social-distanced council meeting.

Councilauthorized the purchase order with Wescam-USA for purchase of one MX-10 EO/IR camerasystem for a total of $420,000 pursuant to Pasadena Municipal Code Section4.08.049(B), “Contracts for which the City’s best interests are served.”

Gordoand Hampton were not alone in saying the timing was bad to spend such a largeamount of money.

“Pasadena’spriority should be finding solutions to families who are struggling to payrent, find food and just survive this pandemic,” David Chavez told council.

Anotherresident, Mohammad Tajsar, an attorney for the ACLU, expressed serious concernabout the expenditure. “At a time when our city needs to prioritize socialservices to poor and working class community members who are struggling,authorizing the purchase of a fancy aerial surveillance technology is a realslap in the face to Pasadena,” Tajsar said in an email comment.

EdWashatka told council that he felt the expenditure timing was bad and Pasadenashould delay approval as there are “those needs of greater public safety”during the pandemic.

PoliceChief John Perez said Pasadena’s helicopters have four aging cameras currentlyand the air operations unit’s need for the new camera is of paramount safety toits officers on the ground.

ChiefPerez said the maintenance cost will be $40,000 cost for each camera per yearand plans for the installation to be sometime this summer.

Perezclaimed the camera requested was not surveillance equipment. “Rotating camerasis critical to keep the public and officers safe…”

Theinstallation cost of $180,000 will be paid for by FAST (Foothill Air SupportTeam) for which Pasadena helicopters provide assistance to local cities in timeof need, Perez told council Monday.

Safetyfrom above is critical to officers on the ground, Perez stated.

More from News