Latest news with #FUSUS
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
New surveillance program gives Dearborn police access to real-time videos
A new surveillance program will soon make its way to Dearborn, offering police access to real-time video from private businesses and residents. In April, Dearborn City Council members unanimously approved a five-year contract worth $720,000 for police to use the FUSUS program, which gives police the ability to view the private camera feeds of businesses and residents. "It's always good to have the best technology that we can have, and this is just another element to go along with our cameras that we have in our city that can open up a live feed for our patrolmen on the road," said Michael Sareini, president of the Dearborn City Council. The city plans to use $133,000 from its drug forfeiture and federal justice funds to help pay for the system, along with money given by the University of Michigan-Dearborn. In a statement, the university said, "We are one of several community partners collaborating with the City of Dearborn to share camera access for public safety incidents. We have learned over the years from numerous tragedies at institutions across the U.S., including here in Michigan, how important it is during critical incidents for agencies to be able to work together and share information in real time when a crisis arises." Along with access to camera feeds from people and businesses who choose to sign up for the program, officers will also have the ability to hear live 911 feeds while in the field. "Now, the police officer in the car can actually hear the 911 call come in as it's being phoned in. This reduces our response times, which is always important, and also, as important, getting the information directly from the caller so that there's no confusion," said Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin. Officials say this will allow them to take full advantage of already existing city infrastructure to better fight and stop crime. In a new statement, Shahin said, "The safety and security of our residents is the top priority of the Dearborn Police Department. This mission has directed our plans to integrate the FUSUS Real-Time Crime Center, which provides live video and information during an emergency to aid our officers in their response. This initiative utilizes already existing visual infrastructure previously installed by businesses, community organizations, and other groups for on-site security. The FUSUS system is not equipped for the integration of facial recognition technology." City leaders say the exact date for the program's formal launch is still unclear, but it is expected to happen later this year.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Columbus Real Time Crime Center at forefront of dramatic change in policing
Editor's Note: This is the first of a four-part series. Links to the other parts can be found below. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A dramatic change in policing is taking place in the basement of the Columbus Public Safety Building. From burglaries to murders, the Real Time Crime Center provides cops with critical information, sometimes before they ever get on the scene. WRBL has taken a deeper look into the Real Time Crime Center. The first and maybe most important question is, what is the Real Time Crime Center? It's a room with video screens and civilian analysts working alongside sworn officers. These civilians and officers are feeding critical information to the cops and detectives on the street, and they are getting that information from more than 2,000 cameras scattered across the city. Police say what happens in here – the basement of the Public Safety Center – is having an impact on the streets of Columbus. It's an evolving technology used to fight crime, says Sgt. Maxwell Todd of the Columbus Police Department 'We have had murders happen on camera,' Todd said, 'we have had numerous hit and runs.' With an extensive camera network, the Columbus Police Department has expanded its reach. Here is how the Real Time Crime Center has changed the flow of information, according to Lt. Andy Farmer of the Columbus Police Department 'Many agencies, including us, start a Real-Time Crime Center with a police radio and a laptop computer or a desktop computer,' Farmer said. 'And that's all you got.' Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis offers this example. 'Say, for instance, we have a shooting at a liquor store, and they had video, and it took three days for a manager or whoever has access to that video to come in and download it on a disk or thumb drive. And we bring it back here and download it on a computer. We have to thumb through it to get the three minutes of video we need. Well, with the Real Time Crime Center we can get that immediately. If they are logged into our FUSUS system we can get that information immediately and the detectives will have that information before we ever show up on scene.' It doesn't work with a network of public and private cameras blanketing the city. 'All the city cameras are cameras purchased by the police department in public areas, whether it be on a public right of way, outside a public building,' Farmer said. 'There should be no concern with privacy in a public area.' However, as the city camera network has expanded, the software has allowed the integration of city cameras and registered business security cameras. Homeowners can also register their cameras, but it works differently. 'The difference between RING doorbell cameras at your house and cameras in public areas is we don't have access to any RING doorbell cameras whatsoever or any home surveillance cameras whatsoever,' Farmer said. 'We simply ask that you register your camera. And that gives us a list, of, hey there are cameras in this area, usually in a neighborhood. If a crime occurs in your neighborhood, we can contact you and ask you to look at your cameras and send us any information that might help us.' Beyond the Beat continues in these articles: Part 2: How civilians are changing the way police work is done Part 3: Real Time Crime Center offers Columbus Police information that leads to arrests Part 4: Beyond the Beat: How the Real Time Crime Center is shaping the future of policing Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Juvenile arrested in Elizabeth City for possessing a stolen firearm
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WNCT) — Officials with the Elizabeth City Police Department arrested a juvenile for possessing a stolen firearm. On Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025, at around 6:15 p.m. officers responded to 100 Sutton Drive in Elizabeth City, N.C. in reference to an investigation. When officers arrived, a juvenile was found in possession of a stolen firearm. The juvenile was soon arrested for possession of a stolenfirearm and possession of a firearm by a minor. Officers requested secured custody, and the juvenile was sent to the Pitt County Detention Center in Greenville, N.C. This is an ongoing investigation. If anyone has more information about this incident contact the department at (252) 335-4321, the Crime Line at (252) 335-5555, or FUSUS Text-a-Tip at (252) 390-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Charleston Police hope to create community camera network to better respond to crimes and emergencies
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The Charleston Police Department says video footage is one of the most effective tools in solving crimes. They now hope area businesses and residents will join a large camera network aimed at boosting community safety. Connect Charleston, which launched Monday, is a new public safety initiative that the police department said will empower residents and business owners to take an active role in keeping their community safe. Outdoor security cameras can be added to the network to help first responders and investigators quickly and effectively respond to criminal activity and emergencies. 'By identifying the location of security cameras in neighborhoods and commercial areas, officers can gather critical evidence faster, making it easier to solve crimes and support public safety,' the agency said in its announcement. This program replaces the previous Security Camera Registration system and introduces a more user-friendly, centralized platform for community participation. The program is voluntary and offers two ways to get involved: Register Your Cameras:Quickly and securely register your exterior security cameras in less than a minute through our online portal. Registration does not provide CPD with live access to your footage. It simply lets investigators know a camera exists at your location and allows them to contact you via email if they believe your footage may help in a nearby investigation. Integrate Your Cameras: If you choose, you can voluntarily integrate your exterior cameras to give CPD access during a verified criminal investigation. You remain in full control. CPD cannot view your exterior cameras unless there is a valid investigative need. Integration is handled directly through FUSUS, the service provider, using a small CORE device that connects to your existing system. CPD only receives access after the connection is set up between you and FUSUS. 'By participating in Connect Charleston, you are helping make your neighborhood and our entire city safer and more prepared,' Charleston PD said. People can register or learn more about the program by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Metro Council one step closer to creating private surveillance network for Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Metro Nashville police are a step closer to creating a private surveillance network across the city. The Metro Council has been fighting for months over a system that would let police access private cameras, with owner permission. 'I'm here to urge you to reject these so-called guardrails which are nothing more than a sugar coating on a poison pill,' one Nashvillian said during public comment. 📧 Have breaking news come to you: → There were passionate arguments surrounding an ordinance that details a set of rules on when and how Metro police can access video from private surveillance cameras, with an owner's permission. 'Nothing in this lets you know your immigration status, it has nothing to do with your sexual preferences,' one Metro councilmember explained Tuesday night. Since the bill was first introduced, sponsors have made several amendments such as a stringent audit process. 'Anytime there is a violation of rules MNPD has to promptly notify us as well as the mayor's office and there has to be an annual report published to the council detailing how the program is being used, how many times they were accessed, why they were accessed,' one Metro councilmember explained Tuesday night. PREVIOUS | Metro Council approves bill on community camera safety network during final reading Another amendment includes when Metro police can access delayed video feed. 'There has to be a service call put in and it must be a public safety measure. That is the only time a camera can be accessed,' said Jordan Huffman, Metro Council District 14. Huffman is a sponsor of the bill. He also created an amendment that allows cameras to only be placed in common areas of residential areas like apartment complexes. 'Privacy is a risk we are talking about at the end of the day.' And now that these guardrails have passed, Huffman hopes a contract with FUSUS can come to their desk. It's a surveillance program that would allow police to access business surveillance cameras with their consent to help fight crime. Huffman said many businesses in his district have expressed interest. 'In my district alone, I have had dozens of dozens that want to participate in this program.' However, those in opposition expressed concern about whether or not the program can be exploited by the state and federal governments. 'What happens to the data that FUSUS collects? Where does it go? Is it shared without oversight? Does ICE have access,' one Nashvillian said during public comment. ⏩ Twenty-eight council members voted in favor of the ordinance. Seven voted no and one councilmember sustained. Huffman told News 2 he hopes a FUSUS contract will be on council members' desks in April. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
