Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC)
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About the city. Like other big cities, New Orleans is focused on improving public safety. while the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) did use a public security camera system to enhance citywide security, the technology was outdated and coverage was limited. In many cases, police officers collected evidence by asking local businesses to share video clips from outside cameras. This laborious process was manual and monopolized valuable resources.
Goal
The aim of the project is to provide greater interagency collaboration, as well as centralized data collection and coordination, to help first responders protect the community while ensuring a high return on the city’s investment.
Implementation period. RTCC opened in 2017.
Fact
New Orleans has reduced the footprint of its criminal justice system — its prison population has dropped from nearly 4,000 in 2009 to approximately 1,100 in May 2019, but the city has made major investments in surveillance and policing.
Solutions
Former Mayor Mitch Landrieu and current Mayor Latoya Cantrell helped the City of New Orleans create and operate the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC), which opened in 2017. The centre was part of a $ 40 million citywide plan to improve public safety.
To bring the RTCC vision to life, New Orleans implemented Motorola Solutions CommandCentral Aware software, integrating with other Motorola Solutions products, including PremierOne computer-aided dispatch (CAD), ASTRO 25 Land Mobile Radio (LMR) infrastructure, and APX mobile and portable radios.
RTCC operates a system with more than 120 automatic license plate readers, 340 surveillance cameras, and plans to add up to 250 more. This network of cameras covers several areas of the city, but most of them are concentrated in the French Quarter, a centre for tourists, businesses and historical landmarks. Citizens and businesses can connect their security cameras to RTCC through SafeCam, a police department program that has added more than 2,600 cameras to the network.
A staff of 18 people (as of 2018) works at computer stations and monitors camera streams from around the city using the Motorola Solutions CommandCentral Aware Platform. They access real-time video and archived police records to provide information to local partners and assist with local, state and federal agencies. Analysts view a 19-foot wrap-around wall of monitors designed by Christie Digital Systems.
Challenges
When plans for a New Orleans RTCC were first presented, the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO) argued that using the RTCC would create “a blueprint for unconstitutional surveillance.” The Office of the Independent Police Monitor has warned the New Orleans City Council that the type of surveillance used by the RTCC would lead to abuse, discrimination and waste of taxpayer money. In March 2020, the court ordered the disclosure of the location of 400 New Orleans crime cameras that arrive at the crime centre in real-time.
Team
The New Orleans Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP), Motorola Solutions, New Orleans Police Department, New Orleans Fire Department, and New Orleans Emergency Medical Services.
Timeline
In 2018, RTCC fielded more than 3,200 requests for assistance from public safety agencies, provided appropriate personnel for 70% of requests, and saved about 3,000+ in NOPD manpower hours. During the 12-day Mardi Gras celebration, he helped on more than 50 occasions, and each deployed camera recorded at least one incident.
New Orleans won a “Smart Cities North America Award” from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Government Insights for Police & Law Enforcement and Emergency Management. These awards recognize the progress in North American communities in implementing Smart City projects.
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