LAPD iWATCHLA App NR16281ti

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).

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