FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Fort Myers Police Department unveiled its new Real Time Crime Center, Wednesday.
The center allows the department to collect data that will track crime trends and help officers in the field. The facility will utilize license plate readers, and cameras throughout the city to bring officers real-time information. Currently, about 80 cameras are deployed throughout the city. FMPD plans to add 40 more. "We're going to be on the cutting edge of policing, and this is what policing is about in the 21st century," said Police Chief Derrick Diggs.
The cameras will also work in sync with new technology called Shot Spotter, a gun shot detection program. It works with censors, which pick up the sound of gun shots. The data is then analyzed and relayed back to the agency with a precise location of gun fire. Captain Jay Rodriguez says this technology helps shorten response times. "Response times are a lot quicker, which means we can preserve evidence, and hopefully even catch those committing the crime."
