Camera

BURBANK ? The school board will put off making a decision on the long-awaited installation of security-camera systems at Burbank and John Burroughs high schools Thursday. The purpose of the delay is to further evaluate the systems' cost and possibly find other sources of funding. Board members were concerned about the cost for the project, which would be paid for from Fund 40, district funds set aside to complete the modernization projects. "I'm tired of approving things that go in the Fund 40 budget when we don't have funds for the schools," board President Ted Bunch said.

Paul Clinton BURBANK -- After leading Burbank police officers on three-hour pursuit in which he covered much of Southern California in a stolen Burbank Public Works Department pickup truck, a suspect was taken into custody Friday afternoon in San Diego. Nearing the Mexican border, Erich Martirosiao, a Fresno resident whose age was not immediately known, was arrested by California Highway Patrol officers who bumped the truck using a technique called the "kick move," forcing him to spin into the center divider of the Santa Ana (5)

HILLSIDE DISTRICT — Stone-throwing students are the impetus for the installation of security cameras at John Muir Middle School. Administrators hope the cameras' presence will curb rock chucking that has resulted in property damage near the campus for as long as anyone can remember, Principal Daniel Hacking said. "This has been sort of simmering for a while, but nothing too serious," Hacking said of the incidents of rock throwing from the schoolyard, which is rich in rocks from the quarry the campus was built on. In the last eight years the district has paid out a total of more than $1,000 in reported damages to neighbors, Hacking said.

BURBANK — The Burbank Unified School District Board approved the installation of security camera systems at Burbank and John Burroughs high schools, citing the need to prevent campus theft and vandalism and to protect high-priced modernization projects. "They've given me the go to go ahead and bid this and ask for approval," said Craig Jellison, the district's chief facilities officer. Trustees approved the projects, including any additions for surveillance, on Jan. 18. An outside consultant will walk the grounds of Burbank and Burroughs to give estimates on costs of installing the digital- camera security systems.

Surveillance camera plans held up due to age of equipment and wiring problems.BURBANK -- Ever since renovations began at Burbank and John Burroughs high schools, surveillance cameras have been on the minds of school administrators. Four years and a number of cameras later, the two schools have yet to come up with the funds for a viable surveillance system. Over the past two years, John Burroughs High School has been working to raise funds for the systems. Their efforts, however, have been complicated by confusion within the district over whether or not the cameras had already been purchased.

AS IF YOU ASKED "Mommy! Make the scary man stop looking at me!" Without meaning to imply any real danger, or an intent to scare kids, that sniffling cry is what I imagine might be the response these days if any parent is foolish enough to let their child watch a Burbank City Council meeting as council candidates campaign from the public podium. Michael Bergfeld, a 53-year-old lawyer, is the latest of those looking to attract the attention of voters via City Hall's cameras and cable television channel.

Instead of watching ?Lord of the Rings,? ?Chicago? or ?Gladiator,? Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra will re-create the films? music with an 84-member orchestra. The orchestra?s spring concert ?Lights! Camera! Music!? will be Sunday in Sexson Auditorium at Pasadena City College. The performance will feature music from film genres including action, historical adventures, space odysseys, comedies and musicals. The orchestra has a more than 50-year tradition for students in 10th grade through college.

BURBANK — High school students began living an examined life Monday as they started the semester with the addition of surveillance cameras in their common areas. Over the summer, 32 cameras were installed at John Burroughs High School and 38 at Burbank High School, said Chuck Colgan, district facilities compliance manager. The cameras will be used mostly as a deterrent for vandalism, theft and other crime on campus as well as a fact-gathering tool for crimes already committed, school administrators said.

MAGNOLIA PARK DISTRICT — When the owner of Fleet Fueling and Burbank Auto Repair tore down his splintered pylon sign with acrylic facing last year and replaced it with a $16,000 electronic sign, he approached the move as an important business investment. The installation made headlines, as camera crews from Reuters and ABC News made their way to 800 N. Hollywood Way to snap photos of the high-tech display, which digitally displays gas prices with the click of a remote control.

BURBANK — Members of the entertainment industry and community voiced their concerns Tuesday night about proposed changes to the city’s film ordinance, as the City Council considered a plan that would change the permit rules for small-scale filmmakers around the city. Under the proposed ordinance, filmmakers using hand-held cameras would not need to obtain a filming permit to operate on private or public property. As long as the camera operators do not impede access to public property, a permit would not be required.