Criminology
The MPD Real Time Crime Center
The MPD Real Time Crime Center, opened in early 2008, combines video surveillance with sophisticated data systems and software. Officers stationed in the crime center headquarters are able to watch the footage on a large video wall and dispatch officers to a location before anyone calls to report a crime in progress. Other cameras designed to spot stolen car tags will be placed on patrol cars.
The Real Time Crime Center encompasses more than just video surveillance. Using special software, police will receive instant information on recent criminal activity in a radius around a crime, existing crime patterns in the neighborhood, and a history of people with arrest records who may frequent the area.
With Blue CRUSH™ databases already in place much of the work for the local Real Time Crime Center is complete.
The Memphis City Council earmarked $700,000 in the FY ’08 budget for the Memphis Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center with additional funding coming from grants.
The MPD’s Real Time Crime Center is a center for Interoperable Data Sharing. The Center is being created to provide a four pronged approach to fighting crime; Data Sharing, Video Surveillance, Crime Analyst Training and Blue C.R.U.S.H™ Statistical Analysis of data.
The Memphis Police Department will mine the data that is received from law enforcement agencies in three states: Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. The University of Memphis Criminal Justice Department (under the guidance of Dr. Richard Janikowski) is writing a Multiple Database Search and Analysis System (MDSAS) that will allow participating law enforcement agencies to contribute data to the system and view the data in “Real-Time” or “Near Real-Time”.
The RTCC has approximately forty-two (42) 50” rear-projection displays and twenty (20) operations and control computer work stations arranged for planning and monitoring for the Memphis Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Each group of displays will have a video processor so multiple signals can be configured to each monitor. These signals will include broadcast and cable channels, live real-time CCTV video, computer displays, and all types of comprehensive data.
The RTCC is also a core component of Homeland Security which will serve as the West Tennessee hub for all law enforcement and will channel information to the Tennessee Fusion Center in Nashville. It combines situation awareness, decision support and resource management functions.
The RTCC Video Surveillance system will monitor:
- Gunshot Detection Cameras
- Fixed License Plate Recognition Cameras
- Critical Infrastructure
- TDOT cameras on the Interstate System
- Special Events
- Criminal Activity
The RTCC will be capable of monitoring other disparate video surveillance systems such as:
- City Facilities
- Libraries
- City Schools
- County Schools
- Parking Garages
- University of Memphis and other local colleges
CyberWatch
CyberWatch is a piloted program developed by the Memphis Police Department as part of our continuing effort to make our neighborhoods safer. It is designed to provide useful information about public safety and additional ways for the public to communicate with police.
CyberWatch allows users to select a reporting radius based on either an address or an intersection, and receive a CyberWatch report via daily email. Currently CyberWatch provides a daily report with information in three areas:
- Reported Crimes within the defined radius for the past 30 days including: suspect information, property taken and the methods of operation used in selected crimes.
- Sex Offenders reported as living within the selected radius, with a link to photos and the state’s Sex Offender Registry.
- Outstanding Arrest Warrants within the selected radius, with links to the Shelby County Sheriff's warrant information website for citizens to provide tips about wanted individuals and photos of the wanted party.
Specialized Equipment
Specialized Equipment utilized by the Memphis Police Department includes:
- SkyWatch Tower
- T3 Scooters
- AR-15 Patrol Rifles
- License Plate Readers
