The Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) is set to improve public safety and streamline police operations with new technological advancements. These updates will be highlighted by the Fort Worth Fusion Center, which integrates Homeland Security, Intel Exchange, and the Real-Time Crime Center to create a more efficient and effective law enforcement system.
What’s Happening?
FWPD is introducing technological updates aimed at focusing on the most violent offenders in the community, ensuring minimal disruption for law-abiding residents. This approach aims to build trust and safety within the community through mutual cooperation.
Key Enforcement Initiatives Include:
- Community Outreach and Partnership: Law enforcement officers will engage in consistent community outreach to balance law enforcement and community support, ensuring residents understand their efforts.
- Multidisciplinary Approach: Teams that previously worked individually will now collaborate, enhancing the department’s effectiveness in tackling crime.
- Advanced Technology Integration: The department will utilize cutting-edge technology, including License Plate Readers (LPRs), surveillance cameras, and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBN) to combat crime more effectively.
What is the Fort Worth Fusion Center?
- INTEX (Intel Exchange): A team of four civilian analysts conducts risk assessments for major events in Fort Worth, some attracting over a million visitors.
- HSU (Homeland Security Unit): This hybrid unit combines intelligence and operational elements, assisting with risk assessments and becoming operational during significant events, guest visits, and special investigations.
- Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC): Operating 24/7, the RTCC is the hub of Fort Worth’s technological policing advancements. Staffed by 18 sworn officers and one professional staff member, the RTCC monitors surveillance and Flock cameras to provide critical support for patrol operations. Using Flock OS, the RTCC integrates alerts from LPR systems, gunshot detection systems, and patrol drones in real-time.
Additional Surveillance Technology to Be Implemented:
- Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) Cameras: Providing comprehensive situational awareness, Fort Worth currently has approximately 1,150 PTZ cameras, with video footage retained for five days unless needed as evidence.
- Updated Flock Cameras: About 250 Flock cameras capture and compare vehicle license plates to a hotlist of wanted vehicles, with data stored for 30 days unless needed as evidence.
- Advanced Gunshot Detection (GSD): This system uses an array of microphones and sensors to detect and triangulate gunfire, with installation underway across five square miles in Fort Worth.
- Additional Fleet Vehicle Safety: Most of the Police Department’s fleet will now include advanced collision prevention technology, enhancing officer safety on the roads and during calls.
What’s Next?
FWPD is committed to continuously leveraging technology to improve its operations. The department will continue to research new technologies, expand the Real-Time Crime Center, and ensure compliance with federal and state laws.
By embracing these technological advancements, the department is setting a new standard for law enforcement, ensuring a safer community and a more efficient police force. Residents can look forward to a future where public safety is enhanced through innovation and collaboration.
