The Sioux Falls Police Department is launching its first Real Time Information Center.
Officials say the center uses camera systems throughout the city, assisting in tracking potential crimes.
The Real Time Information Center offers the department enhanced technology to aid officers in their efforts to protect the community.
The center is housed in its own room at the police station and includes multiple screens and a workspace for two people to operate the system.
Sioux Falls POlice Chief John Thum said the system can assist in finding criminals.
“It also helps in the investigation of crimes as they happen. There was a case earlier this year, a bank robbery on the east side of town, as soon as that call went out we were able to access the cameras. Go back and use those cameras and within thirty minutes locate the bank robber in their hotel with cash on the bed, essentially red-handed. Cases like these are just not possible unless we have technology or are able to leverage technology to be more efficient,” said Thum.
The system includes license plate recognition software that can aid officers in quickly tracking down a vehicle.
Thum said the system has wider implications than just for his department. He said it places Sioux Falls among 5,000 agencies that utilize the same technology. He said the system creates a force multiplier for the department.
“Agencies that have these cameras are catching our perpetrators across the country. That includes to Madison, catching a rapist for us from a couple years ago that lives in their community that we were looking for. One of our most recent Dunham Park homicide suspects was picked up in South Carolina with this technology. Shipments of drugs have been intercepted by other agencies using this technology coming to our community," said Thum. "I think seeing the benefits and effects and weighing this decision for several years has gotten us to the point that we feel that this is what is best for our community.”
Thum said with the continuous growth of the city the system offers a better public service for all citizens of Sioux falls.
He said over time with more staff he hopes to have the system used 24/7.
