CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Chicopee Police Department is looking to implement a real Time Crime Center to enhance public safety. Chicopee Mayor John Vieau has recently requested city council to fund the department’s request to purchase this technology.
The Real Time Crime Center is designed to make policing more efficient and effective, and give Chicopee residents and business owners the opportunity to partner with the Police Department and help contribute to the safety and security of Chicopee. This investment is a crucial step toward ensuring the highest level of public safety, improving the effectiveness of local law enforcement.
The FUSUS Crime Center will allow local businesses and residents to integrate their camera systems into a central location providing real time information to Chicopee officers. The system would provide a framework for what they are calling a “Next Gen Neighborhood Watch Program.”
Chicopee Police Deputy Chief Eric Watson told 22News, “The funding would go towards the purchase of the center and the cloud software. And I think it’s a crucial step as far as advancing the public safety initiatives and the infrastructure that we currently have.”
In a statement to 22News, Chief Patrick Major of the Chicopee Police Department says in part, “This investment is a crucial step toward ensuring the highest level of public safety, improving the effectiveness of our law enforcement, and maintaining the trust and confidence of our residents.”
If the funds are given the greenlight by city council, Chicopee would be the first community here in the state to implement this system. The FUSUS system is currently used in many communities across the country, including just over state lines in Hartford, Connecticut.
In addition to integrating camera systems, community members will have the ability to anonymously submit multi-media tips to the Police Department. Police will also have the ability to keep the community up to date with relevant information through text alerts.
Kristina D’Amours is a reporter who is a part of the evening 22News team. Follow Kristina on X @KristinaD_WWLP and view her bio to see more of her work.
