Technology : Moving Your Agency and Community Into 2021
By : Alex Gammelgard , Chief of Police – Grass Valley PD , CPCA Technology Chair
Technology advances quickly and keeping-up can be
challenging — this article focuses on issues surrounding the deployment of camera technology in public places .
Î An August 2019 Gallup poll shows that 48 % of Americans worry about being a victim in a mass shooting
Î Shooting events are as unpredictable as ever , happening in areas typically deemed safe : from schools to nightclubs to festivals
Î While COVID has been narrowing our nation ’ s focus , and although mass shootings are reportedly down year over year , this year between March 1st and May 3rd there have been 54 cases of mass shooting in the U . S . ( mass shooting defined as 4 or more shot or killed , not including the shooter ).
In addition to preparing for “ worst case scenarios ” like those listed above , local communities expect police leaders increase safety , especially in public places like parks and public space .
Can Public Safety Camera systems be deployed to help ?
Data from an NIJ analysis shows a 14 % overall crime reduction in areas where a camera system is deployed . For property crime , the reduction increases to 16 %. With the latest generation of Public Safety Camera systems deployed in your jurisdictions , these crime reductions could be even higher , with some cases resulting in as high as a 75 % reduction in crime . A university study of 422 incarcerated burglars indicated 57 % of the burglars reported the presence of a camera would cause them to seek an alternative target altogether . In the last decade , cameras have impacted police work significantly and this is expected to continue . A research company projects the video surveillance market was valued at $ 42.94 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $ 144.85 billion by 2027 which represents a compound annual growth rate of 14.6 % from 2020 to 2027 .
For decades , the police have embraced the value of looking for video after a crime has occurred . Commonly referred to as “ forensic video ,” this video data is used to identify suspects and ultimately support prosecutorial efforts . Use of camera technology in businesses , schools , and more recent use in homes , has led to higher levels of security as both a prevention tool and to provide the police with forensic video . Courts and juries have supported and even come to expect this effort by law enforcement investigators . Many California law enforcement agencies have developed databases of community cameras by inviting the public to register their cameras — this way , the police will both know of the presence of a camera and enhance the efficiency in conducting a search for forensic video . Unfortunately , these home / business systems often offer low quality recording limiting usefulness for identification purposes , but such evidence can still provide valuable information about a crime .
The public has come to expect cameras in places such as airports , parking structures , museums , colleges , government buildings , and schools . These government-operated camera systems address the need for heightened security and are used to address crime and fear of crime . More recently , public sector leaders have turned to cameras in public spaces like parks , intersections , and a city ’ s entry / exit routes to help with investigations , crime prevention , and to bolster the public ’ s sense of security
California ’ s use of cameras in public spaces is expanding quickly , to include many Bay Area suburbs . A survey by the State Auditor shows that of 391 California law enforcement agencies surveyed , 230 ( 59 %) currently use Automated License Plate Reader ( ALPR ) systems and 36 more are planning to add ALPR . To be complete in mid-2020 , San Diego is deploying 4,200 fixed cameras on as part of a streetlight upgrade process . This program has already led to :
Î Discovering the truth in a murder investigation — a man who was arrested with a gun as he fled a murder scene with a gun was ultimately not charged when the video revealed a true case of self-defense ; otherwise , he could have been charged and possibly even wrongly convicted .
Î Solving a sexual assault case — video captured key evidence where the suspect dragged a woman into some bushes where the assault took place ; furthermore , the detective tracked the offender to a nearby convenience store where a credit card transaction led to an identification . It is believed that video evidence led to a guilty plea .
Î Two successful vehicular manslaughter cases — In two cases , drivers reported a pedestrian “ came out of nowhere ;” however , video review showed the victims pressing a crosswalk button , waiting for the signal , and then being taken out in the crosswalk .
34 CALIFORNIA POLICE CHIEF | www . californiapolicechiefs . org