While fatal gunshots steadily ring out in disparate race-charged communities across the country, Culver City remains a rare oasis.
By appearances, as one city official put it, “Culver City has not lost its virginity.”
Calm is ubiquitous. Serenity and billowing safety are as taken for granted as sunshine.
Against the backdrop of almost unimaginable violence in Dallas, Baton Rouge and a St. Paul suburb, some residents say Culver City feels like a Scout meeting from the days of their innocent childhoods.
When Police Chief Scott Bixby discusses the anticipated arrival of body cameras, it is a reminder that attitudes radically have changed across America. Gun-centric confrontations between police and citizens have become almost habitual.
It is presumed the new devices will be roundly welcomed by both police officers and the 40,000 residents they are charged with protecting.
Culver City officers have been using dashboard cameras, and body cams will bring them entirely up to date.
The chief knows body cams will not be foolproof.
“They will not capture everything,” Chief Bixby said. “It is one particular view. An officer turns his head and looks in a different direction, the camera is not going to go that way. It is going to be facing forward.
“But at least it’s just one more tool we can use to our advantage,” the chief said.
Three Major Advances
“Studies show that body cams have lowered complaints, prevents frivolous complaints and increases our ability to defend (ourselves) in lawsuits. In the past, there have not been any videos.”
Chief Bixby said he is looking forward to body cams, “and I think most officers are, too.”
