A real-time watch center at the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station will be a central hub for the Safer WeHo program. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The city of West Hollywood has started implementing Safer WeHo, a year-long pilot program using technologically advanced equipment to increase public safety. The Safer WeHo program is being launched in partnership with the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station.

The program will use drones, fixed cameras and a real-time watch center housed at the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. The unmanned aerial units will be flown when calls for service are received to provide a real-time overview of an incident. Drones will not be used for surveillance in the community, authorities said.

The program will also use 50 cameras strategically placed throughout West Hollywood to provide real-time information during calls for service. The real-time watch center at the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station will serve as a hub to monitor live video feeds from drones and fixed cameras.

“The Public Safety Technology Program will go a long way to protect our West Hollywood community,” West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station Capt. Bill Moulder said. “It will help de-escalate incidents, find and arrest criminal perpetrators and serve as a deterrent. The city of West Hollywood and West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station are excited about this new program endeavoring to make our community safer.”

The city is mailing and distributing information to residents and business owners to inform them about the program. The city is also scheduling in-person meetings for community members to learn more about the program.

For information, visit go.weho.org/saferweho.