Hermosa Beach police are currently investigating a violation of privacy at the School of Dance and Music, where hidden cameras were discovered in the restrooms. According to KTLA, the concealed devices were found inside wicker baskets in the studio's unisex bathrooms, utilized by staff, parents, and students ranging from 2 to 18 years old.
The owner of the school, Liliana Somma, who has managed the establishment for over two decades, expressed her dismay over the incident. "This is like a safe and sacred place for many children for the last over 25 years. So, I'm horrified," Somma said to ABC7. The breach in trust has led to Somma taking new security measures, including hiring a firm to conduct a thorough sweep for other devices and adding hallway cameras to monitor studio-entry points.
The exact duration for which the cameras have been present remains unknown. "HBPD detectives are actively investigating all available leads to identify and hold accountable the individual(s) responsible for this disturbing act,” stated the Hermosa Beach Police Department in a message obtained by KTLA. As they seek assistance from the public, anyone with information is urged to call the Hermosa Beach police at 310-318-0360.
The revelation of the cameras has understandably shaken the dance studio's community. "Everything is being done to make it as safe as possible, and so that's reassuring," commented Jessica Torres, a master teacher at the studio, in an interview with ABC7. Somma is facing the challenge head-on, communicating with law enforcement and assuaging the concerns of affected families. Despite an outpouring of concern and the loss of some students, she is determined to restore the sanctuary her studio once provided: "I came this morning and I saw the 2-year-olds come and take class and smile," Somma told ABC 7. "I mean, we're here to create joy, and so to be able to see that happen touches me in a way that I can't even express."
