The Chattanooga Police Department has added 14 new public safety cameras to its network, bringing the total to 29 cameras around the city focusing on violent crime and deterring future acts of violence. This system is known as “Crime Eye” by Convergint Technologies which is an industry leader in technology used in promoting crime reduction, crime solving, and improving community safety.
CPD used community input, three years of compiled statistical crime data, qualitative intelligence, officer experience, and vendor consultation to determine placement of the 14 new public safety cameras. The CPD Crime Analysis Unit conducted analysis of crime that’s inflicted the most social harm throughout the city narrowed down to the densest locations by block numbers. These locations were then provided to the CPD Neighborhood Policing Bureau to provide input based on their observations and experiences throughout their shifts. Next, the locations were presented to community members for input to determine exactly where the cameras were placed. This is the same criteria used to determine the locations of the initial 15 public safety cameras installed in June, 2017 and five cameras moved to new locations (see attachments for a list of exact locations of all public safety cameras & map).
The video from the network of public safety cameras feeds into the Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC). The RTIC is a centralized intelligence, technology, analysis and investigative center housed at the Police Service Center. In the first six months of the initial camera roll-out, there were a total of 30 requests for video from officers and investigators working to solve crimes. This video evidence is used by investigators to build their cases and hold offenders accountable.
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22 of the 30 requests (73.33%) had usable video evidence
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22 captured on Public Safety Camera
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8 captured on other video sources shared with CPD’s (RTIC)
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5 (16..67%) video requests for Homicides
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13 (43.33%) video requests for Shootings
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Other requests for Auto Theft, Burglary, Carjacking, Robbery, Shots Fired, and Stolen Vehicle Recoveries
The video obtained by these cameras has played a significant role in identifying and charging suspects in homicides, shootings, a hit and run incident, and an auto theft.
Each public safety camera is housed in a two-foot white metal box clearly and obviously marked with the CPD badge and a blue flashing light on top. The boxes are mounted on EPB poles equipped with power and fiber optics. The cameras are adjustable, can be angled in different directions, and equipped with a zoom lens. They are also designed to be moved as crime trends and needs change.
The 14 new public safety cameras are included in the CPD budget for fiscal year 2019 at $173,000. The monthly power and data is estimated to cost between $3500 to $4000 per month. Video is retained for 30 days unless it is of evidentiary value.