Victoria set to get hi-tech crime fighting nerve centre
VICTORIA is set to create a New York inspired hi-tech crime fighting nerve centre. But not all the technology used in the US has proved popular.
VICTORIAN police will mirror New York’s surveillance techniques to fight crime across Melbourne as the state tries to step up its fight against street gangs.
Premier Daniel Andrews is in the United States for an official visit and inspected the New York Police Department’s Real Time Crime Centre on Sunday. The Premier plans on emulating the techniques and technology used by New York authorities to establish a Victorian facility, described as a hi-tech crime fighting nerve centre.
Modelled on the New York facility, which includes 8000 cameras and gunshot sensors, the Victoria Police Monitoring and Assessment Centre will be open by early 2017.
However the deployment of gunshot sensor technology across US cities has raised privacy concerns.
Melbourne is to get a hi-tech crime fighting nerve centre using the latest computer systems and social media. https://t.co/HVi8dIZ0TF
— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) May 30, 2016
“This is a city that needs no reminding about the threat of terrorism, the NYPD has sadly been at the forefront of that and there’s so much we can learn from their experience,” Mr Andrews said.
The Real Time Crime Centre supports officers on the ground by analysing data and providing instant access to criminal records, and the Domain Awareness surveillance system helps predict and prevent crime, according to Mr Andrew’s office.
It’s part of a $595 million public safety package announced by the Victorian Premier in this year’s state budget.
The budget included 20 new members of Victoria’s Special Operations Group, high tech equipment including vehicles, and $15 million for a new 24/7 Monitoring and Assessment Centre which will provide the right information to frontline police.
“NYPD officers have already been using iPads for some years now, so they have real time information when they need it most,” Mr Andrews said.
“We are proud to have made a similar investment for Victoria Police.”
