Police Cameras To Assist 911 Calls

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Feb 19, 2009 8:20PM

In a technology upgrade Mayor Daley is heralding as a major step forward in fighting crime, the city's police cameras have been successfully integrated with the city's 911 system so that when a 911 call comes in to the dispatch center, the system will automatically scan for any police cameras within 150 feet of the reported incident. Video would then appear on the dispatcher's screen within seconds, enabling them to forward more helpful information to responding officers.

Said Mayor Daley via press statement:

"Chicago is the first big city in the nation to have integrated its camera network into 911 operations, and it greatly enhances not only our Homeland Security strategy, but also our ability to fight crime."

The new system, as well as an upgrade to the entire dispatch system, was paid for by a $6 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security. The CBS 2 report also notes, "The city operates thousands of security cameras on city streets, parks, and public school property." George Orwell was unavailable for comment.