Los Angeles Police Department’s iWATCH initiative partners with Clear Channel Outdoor Americas, USC, and The Los Angeles Rams to help increase awareness and use of the iWATCHLA App
Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck was joined by Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, representatives from the Mayor’s office and business partners, including Clear Channel Outdoor Americas (CCOA), University of Southern California (USC), and the Los Angeles Rams to announce the official launch of the Department’s iWATCHLA app.
The iWATCHLA app, provides citizens the ability to quickly and easily report terrorist related suspicious activity and participate in the fight against terrorism at the local level. Chief Charlie Beck and Sheriff Jim McDonnell also announced the partnership between the two departments in the use of the iWATCHLA program throughout the Los Angeles region.
The group was also joined by a number of businesses who are assisting in the roll out of a robust public awareness program – including donated advertising art, billboard space from CCOA, and donated handouts in reusable bags as part of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum’s new clear bag security policy at USC and Rams’ football games. This multi-pronged approach is aimed at increasing downloads and widespread use of the application, which works best when everyone is engaged.
“The fight against terrorism is most effective when we are all on the front line. We want everyone to remember that if they see something, iWATCHLA is the way to report it. This program and the launch of the iWATCHLA app truly empowers our residents to report suspicious behavior or activity that may have a connection to terrorism quickly and easily, and ensures we are all engaged in protecting the safety of our region,” said Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck. “The effectiveness of the iWATCHLA program and app is entirely dependent on community participation and we are incredibly grateful to the generous donations from our partners – Clear Channel Outdoor Americas, USC and the Rams that will help deliver the message to the Los Angeles region that everyone should download the iWATCHLA app and, in turn, play a direct role in the safety of our region.”
The iWATCHLA, iREPORT, i KEEP US SAFE (iWATCHLA) program was originally unveiled in October 2009 and is a 21st century version of Neighborhood Watch. iWATCHLA emphasizes the need to become educated on behaviors and activities that may have a connection to terrorism, rather than individuals. The program is a partnership between the community and the Los Angeles Police Department that encourages residents to recognize and report suspicious behaviors and activities in order to help keep our neighborhoods safe.
The partners also unveiled new designs for the robust public awareness campaign that launches today. The designs – donated by CCOA – focus on use of the app, urging residents to “prevent terrorism” by downloading and using the iWATCHLA app. This campaign will go up on billboards throughout Los Angeles over the next several months. Information on the program and the app is also bolstered by USC adding 10,000 flyers to USCs newly designed reusable clear bags, and the Rams adding the flyers to their merchandise bags when they sell Rams’ gear at the Coliseum.
“The fight against terrorism is best fought when we are all engaged, and Clear Channel Outdoor Americas is proud to donate our assets to strengthening the power of our communities and the safety of our neighborhoods,” said Layne Lawson, Vice President of Public Affairs for Clear Channel Outdoor Americas Southern California Division.
To report a suspicious behavior or activity or to learn more about iWATCH search and download the app in English or Spanish at iWATCHLA and iWATCHLA ESPANOL, visit www.iWATCHLA.org. or report an incident by calling 1-877-A-THREAT (1-877-284-7328).