INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis business owners believe license plate readers and public safety cameras are already making a difference in the city.
"A lot some of the crime has been going down," said local business owner Crystal Swallows. "Some people are just noticing the cameras right there."
Swallows and her husband own Romey's Used Tires on East New York Street. A license plate reader is just feet away from their business.
Swallows said it's been keeping thieves out of the shop.
"It makes us feel secure, safe, so we know it's there," Swallows said. "I think it should stay up there forever."
IMPD said 58 license plate readers are now monitoring Indianapolis streets along with around 250 public safety cameras.
Data from this technology is stored for at least 30 days.
IMPD Commander of Criminal Investigations Division Matthew Thomas said it's making a major difference in policing and bringing justice to families.
"What we have seen with existing deployment is it's actually solving cases," Thomas said. "It is finding missing people. It's leading us in the right direction very quickly. It's providing digital witnesses to events that we can then move a case forward and when we come back to meet with a family and provide an update on our case we have some headway."
Thomas said a highly anticipated gunshot detection pilot program is still in the works.
Part of the $9 million from the American Rescue Act funding is set aside for programs, such as the gunshot detection program, but if the department decides it wants to keep this program it will need additional funding.
Funding, Swallows believes, is worth it.
"I think the more they get and more they keep the better results we will have in the end," Swallows said.
-
What is open and closed for Thanksgiving Day
Are you planning on dining out, shopping, or picking up a last-minute ingredient for the big meal, here is a look at what is open and closed for Thanksgiving Day?
Hitting the road for the holiday? Prices at the pump could fluctuate
AAA predicts record Thanksgiving travel this year. If you're here in Indy, you may have noticed changing prices at the pump.
Local youth sports league gives back to community with free turkeys, haircuts
Next Level Sports Youth League's mission is to mentor kids through sports and education by providing safe and positive environments for them to thrive.
Foods your dog can and can't eat this Thanksgiving holiday
It may come as no surprise that many Americans consider their pets to be members of their family. And with Thanksgiving nearly upon us, it's important to know what food scraps dogs can and can't have.
