Public Safety Cameras Aid Chattanooga Police in Investigations

Public Safety Cameras Aid Chattanooga Police in Investigations

The Chattanooga Police Department has 29 public safety cameras located around the city and plans to add more.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • Apr 24, 2019

The Chattanooga Police Department was aided in a recent homicide investigation by footage from a public safety camera. The department has 29 public safety cameras installed around the city and plans to add more.

A 32-year-old man was shot and killed in Chattanooga on April 15, in the line of sight of one of the most-used public safety cameras, which live stream video to the police department. Within about 30 minutes of pulling footage of the incident, investigators were able to identify a suspect, who turned himself in the next day.

The police department’s 29 public safety cameras are each encased in a large, white box marked with the police department’s badge and a flashing blue light. Police said they’re located in public areas where citizens have no expectation of privacy. The public safety cameras, in addition to the city’s roughly 300 security cameras, feed into the police department’s Real-Time Intelligence Center.

The center contains a large screen that takes up most of a wall, upon which 16 live streams are displayed. The security and safety camera footage is saved for no longer than 30 days, unless it’s saved for evidence in an investigation or case.

Last year, video footage was requested in a total of 109 incidents. Of those requests, 76 had usable footage content. In the first two months of 2019, there have been 158 requests for video, with 70 containing useable footage. The increased requests are likely due to improved camera placement.

The police department is currently in the process of adding five more cameras and reevaluating current camera placement to see if any should be moved. The new cameras will cost about $68,000, a cost included in the original 2017 capital project.

The department’s crime analysts look at several metrics to determine whether cameras should be moved, including violence crime stats and the number of service calls attached to each camera. Neighborhood police officers look at those results and offer their input, after which lieutenants take the data and present it at Community Police Interaction Committee Meetings.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • New Gas Monkey Garage Venue Uses AI-Enhanced Video Technology

    Gas Monkey Garage, the automotive custom shop and entertainment brand founded by Richard Rawlings of Fast N’ Loud TV fame, has opened a vibrant new restaurant and bar in South Dakota, equipped with advanced, AI-enhanced video tech from IDIS Americas. Read Now

  • Data Driven, Proactive Response

    As cities face rising demands for smarter policing and faster emergency response, Real Time Crime Centers (RTCCs) are emerging as essential hubs for data-driven public safety. In this interview, two experts with deep field experience — Ross Bourgeois of New Orleans and Dean Cunningham of Axis Communications — draw on decades of operational, leadership and technology expertise to share how RTCCs are transforming public safety through innovation, interagency collaboration and a relentless focus on community impact. Read Now

  • Integration Imagination: The Future of Connected Operations

    Security teams that collaborate cross-functionally and apply imagination and creativity to envision and design their ideal integrated ecosystem will have the biggest upside to corporate security and operational benefits. Read Now

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.