The Los Angeles Police Department set up nine new security cameras in Mission Hills on Monday in effort to reduce crime.

The cameras were installed in the Safer Cities Initiative Area, which is bordered by Nordoff, Roscoe the 405 Freeway and Van Nuys Blvd.

City Councilman, Richard Alarcon, said the cameras provide “additional eyes and additional ability to observe the community in places that have a long history of crime activity.”

The cameras are positioned up high next to street lights and have a 360 degree view of the streets below. Police can zoom in and out with the cameras, allowing them to read license plate numbers and monitor street activity, according to the LAPD. The main goal of these cameras is to prevent crime and give officers a new angle for investigating crimes caught on camera. 

“I think the community is very please with the additional safety efforts, they are most importantly please with the recent history in reduction in crime,” Alarcon said.

The city is also posting signs in the areas that will be monitored by the camera in order to tell the public that they’re being watched. The LAPD says that someone will operate the cameras 20 hours a day.

Officers will be assigned to monitor cameras, and volunteers will be used to staff the camera room.