Case Study: Revitalizing Public Spaces and Safety in Santa Monica
The Power of Netwatch’s Proactive Video Monitoring: Santa Monica Success Story
Case Details
Clients: Santa Monica
Market: Municipal
Solution: Proactive Video Monitoring
Results: Reduced theft and increased safety
Region: Western United States
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Introduction
Located along the California coastline, Santa Monica has long been known for its blend of natural beauty and cultural vibrancy. From the iconic Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park to the historic Looff Hippodrome Carousel, the city attracts residents and visitors alike. Spaces such as Palisades Park, Muscle Beach, and Bergamot Station reflect its strong community and artistic identity.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this rhythm. Public facilities reduced hours, programming slowed, and community engagement declined. As the city moved toward recovery, leadership recognized that revitalization would require more than reopening spaces—it would require restoring both vibrancy and a sense of safety.
Challenge:
During and after the pandemic, Santa Monica faced several operational and community challenges:
- Reduced facility usage: Libraries and cultural centers operated on limited schedules, with some shifting to self-service models.
- Inconsistent activation of public spaces: Reduced programming led to quieter, less monitored environments.
- Increase in incidents: Vandalism, break-ins, and property damage rose, often occurring overnight and discovered hours later.
- Reactive security model: Staff were responding to incidents after they happened rather than preventing them.
- Community perception of safety: A high-profile violent incident near a public facility impacted how safe residents felt, even if such events were rare.
- Staff strain: Employees not trained in security were forced to manage safety concerns, diverting focus from their primary roles.
City leaders, including Recreation Arts Director Jenny Rogers and Library Services Director Erica Cuyugan, identified a critical need: shift from reactive responses to proactive prevention while rebuilding public trust and engagement.
The voice-down capability is a game changer. We’re able to intercept someone’s bad decision-making before it becomes something bigger. Instead of constantly reacting, we’re finally preventing issues before they happen.
Jenny Rogers
The PVM Solution: Maximizing Coverage and Efficiency
As a strong proponent of leveraging technology for public safety, city leadership decided to pilot a new approach by deploying Netwatch, a comprehensive AI-enabled video remote system that could not only detect incidents but even stop crime from happening in the first place.
Netwatch offers intelligent video monitoring services that help ensure safer, secure environments. It goes beyond standard video monitoring — it’s an active, immediate deterrent. The solution’s video intelligence software detects security incidents and alerts Netwatch operators — manning stations from a central monitoring center. These operators then communicate directly with the intruders by identifying information, such as what they are wearing and their location, and urge them to vacate the premises. This immediate, live response significantly reduces the opportunity for potential threats to escalate and enhances the site’s overall security posture.
Results from Implementing Netwatch Proactive Video Monitoring
To address these challenges, the city piloted AI-enabled video monitoring with Netwatch across select facilities. This proactive approach produced measurable and meaningful results:
1. Real-Time Intervention
The system enabled live monitoring with voice-down capability, allowing operators to intervene immediately.
- Staff could issue verbal warnings to individuals entering restricted areas.
- Potential incidents were stopped before escalation.
2. Reduction in Property Damage
- Prevented vandalism and break-ins that previously resulted in costly repairs.
- Avoided recurring expenses such as replacing broken windows and repairing facilities.
3. Incident Prevention
- In one instance, operators intervened in real time to stop an attempted fire.
- Early intervention shifted security from reactive to preventive.
4. Improved Staff Confidence and Efficiency
- Public works and facility staff felt safer arriving early or working late.
- Library and recreation teams could focus on programming instead of crisis management.
5. Enhanced Community Experience
- Safer environments encouraged residents to return to parks, libraries, and cultural venues.
- Large community events resumed successfully, restoring a sense of connection and vibrancy.
6. Data-Driven Safety Strategy
- Patterns of behavior could be analyzed and addressed proactively.
- Reduced displacement of issues from one area to another through coordinated insights.
7. Balanced Approach to Privacy
- Monitoring was implemented with clear safeguards and community input.
- Certain areas were excluded, and audio practices were adjusted to respect nearby residents.
Customer Reviews of the Case
When people don’t feel safe walking into a building, it affects everything. With the right support in place, our staff can focus on serving the community—and that’s when these spaces truly come back to life.
Erica Cuyugan
Conclusion
By integrating proactive video monitoring with thoughtful community programming, Santa Monica has demonstrated how cities can modernize operations while preserving public trust. The result is not just improved safety—but the return of energy, engagement, and confidence in shared public spaces.