Security cams may be installed on city buses
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers ON TAPE- The city's Department of Community Services is working to obtain a grant that would pay for security cameras on fixed-route buses, as seen above on Tapo Canyon Road.

Simi Valley's fixed-route buses may have video security by the end of the year, if the city's Department of Community Services is successful in securing an $80,000 grant to install the Webbased system.

Debbie Solomon, director of community services, said the system would be used to record activity inside the buses during operational hours, but footage would be accessed only when specific investigation was needed.

"They're not going to be constantly monitored," Solomon said. "It just provides the capability, if we have a major incident or complaint, to go back and review the video monitoring."

The California Office of Homeland Security has earmarked $1 billion of Proposition 1B grant money over the next 10 years to fund transit security projects throughout the state. The Ventura County Transportation Commission, which serves as the county's designated recipient of state and federal funds, is currently requesting grant proposals in order to designate approximately $700,000 in grant money to Ventura County cities.

Solomon said that incidents on Simi Valley buses occur infrequently, but the purpose of the grant is to increase public transportation safety and security in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

"Also, many of our passengers are school-age children," Solomon said. "Having security aboard will be a deterrent for issues of vandalism, harassment, and any other illegal or inappropriate behavior."

If the city is successful in obtaining the grant, the funds would be used to purchase, install and maintain the Webbased security cameras in up to 13 fixed-route buses.

The system would be in place in six to nine months, Solomon said.