BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Birmingham Police want you to know they are working to keep you safe 24/7. In fact, on at least two occasions in the last week, officers have used Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) information or surveillance video to track suspected criminals in your community.
According to police, the RTCC helped arrest the man they believe killed Brandon Lee and gave them information on two other suspected shooters.
The center now has nine RTCC specialists and was expanded to 24-hour operations in June.
“Being able to deploy a force multiplier on site has made a huge difference for us,” said Rodarius Mauldin, Birmingham Police deputy chief of administration.
The Real Time Crime Center has proven helpful in the investigation into the murders of Brandon Lee and Charlie Moore.
In both cases, the Housing Authority’s cameras monitored the incident in real time and relayed important information to officers on the ground. Deputy Chief Mauldin says that since the cameras were installed, violent crime in Housing Authority communities has dropped by nearly 40%.
“We see that process working. We’re trying to improve our infrastructure and continue to install cameras in our crime areas where we have more visibility because we know things are going to happen, but we just want to make sure they don’t go undetected.”
Deputy Chief Mauldin says they currently have access to over 2,100 cameras, but hopes that number will increase in the coming years.
“It’s like live television. We see what’s happening on the ground and can relay that information to our officers. We give them the direction they should go. We create a plan with reference to the perimeters. We relay information like suspects and vehicles, anything our officers need on the ground that really makes a difference in making a quick arrest.”
Deputy Chief Mauldin says you can still help them fight crime in your community by Register with Birmingham Connect.
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