Poughkeepsie, NY ... Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino, District Attorney Anthony Parisi and Sheriff Kirk Imperati have announced the creation of a new Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) to be located at the Dutchess County Law Enforcement Center in Poughkeepsie. The RTCC will serve as a hub for law enforcement to monitor video feeds and other technology to respond to evolving and active crime situations quickly and efficiently. In a unanimous vote earlier this week, the Dutchess County Legislature approved $200,000 to launch the RTCC by the end of this year.
District Attorney Parisi said, "A Real-Time Crime Center is not just an investment in technology; it’s an investment in the safety and security of our community. By leveraging real-time data, we’re not just reacting to crimes, but proactively working to prevent them. Law enforcement will be able to utilize data, surveillance technology and predictive analytics to respond quicker to crimes, investigate crimes more thoroughly and identify patterns to prevent future crimes. This center will be the nerve center of our commitment to a safer, smarter, and more responsive justice system."
County Executive Sue Serino said, “The RTCC will be a true game-changer for speed of response and police safety. This cutting-edge initiative leverages technology for faster, more effective law enforcement response to protect our communities. We thank District Attorney Parisi for his leadership in moving this initiative forward and we are proud to support this important collaboration of community and law enforcement.”
Real-Time Crime Centers nationwide merge data from live video, cameras, license plate readers, body cameras worn by law enforcement, audio detection and other tools into a single cloud-based operational view to provide enhanced visibility and unified situational awareness. This unified view helps ensure appropriate law enforcement can respond more swiftly to incidents, in some cases potentially preventing crimes before they escalate. RTCCs promote better coordination among law enforcement agencies, emergency services and community organizations to ensure information is shared and resources are allocated effectively, where they are needed most.
The RTCC will be staffed by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Special Operation Bureau, along with a Crime Analyst from the District Attorney’s Office. Other area law enforcement agencies, including the New York State Police, will also have personnel at the RTCC.
Sheriff Kirk Imperati said, “Having a Real Time Crime Center is a force multiplier – giving us the ability to see, in real-time, what is going on to be able dispatch the right resources immediately and provide responding officers with visual support. As technology continues to advance and becomes more widespread through the community, the RTCC enables us to pull all of that information together, putting it to work to make our community safer. I appreciate the collaboration of District Attorney Parisi and County Executive Serino, as well as the support from the entire County Legislature, in making the RTCC possible.”
County Executive Serino has directed the initial $200,000 to launch the RTCC be allocated from the Community Benefit Fund (CBF). The CBF was established by Serino as a set-aside of fund balance following the drawdown of American Rescue Plan funding. This funding is intended for one-time projects that have substantial community benefit and lasting positive impact. This initial funding will cover radio communications equipment, computer hardware, new cameras for high crime areas, as well as equipment to integrate existing municipal and community cameras throughout Dutchess County, as well as subscription costs for the intelligence systems.
“The Real-Time Crime Center will also play a critical role in ensuring the security of our County employees as they come and go from County facilities,” said County Executive Serino. “This initial funding will provide for enhanced video surveillance of parking areas and rapid law enforcement deployment, adding a layer of protection for those who serve our community every day.”
Going forward, District Attorney Parisi has secured $1.2 million in federal funding through the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant to cover reoccurring costs for the operation of the RTCC over the next two years and will continue to pursue grant funding sources for future years.
District Attorney Parisi concluded, "The creation of a Real-Time Crime Center is a crucial step in modernizing our criminal justice system. The unanimous bi-partisan support from our legislature this week shows their unwavering commitment to the public safety of Dutchess County. I am thankful for the continued support ensuring the implementation of a more informed, data-driven approach to criminal justice.