Tempe police are now able to access surveillance cameras around the city in real time. They say it lets them better aid first responders in emergency situations.
The cameras Tempe police can access for its Real Time Operations Center include city cameras, which capture live feed from different areas across the city.
Police say the new capabilities will help them with everyday law enforcement, like making arrests, finding missing people and better coordinating with the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department.
Ryan Cook is a Tempe police sergeant.
“This technology piece shows the advancement of the Tempe Police Department and where we're heading to utilize technology to best assist our city as well as our police department," he said.
Sgt. Ryan Cook says police aren’t monitoring the camera feeds 24/7.
“It is not something where we simply just watch on cameras variously throughout the city. It is driven by calls for service and then they're utilizing the technology of the cameras," he said.
Cook says there is a possibility of expanding the center to include businesses that want to participate and schools.
