Christmas comes early for Chicopee Police with a suite of AI surveillance technology
Transcript available here: https://skynet-times.blogspot.com/2024/12/chicopee-city-council-dec-3-meeting.html
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Christmas comes early for Chicopee Police with a suite of AI surveillance technology
By Jonathan Gerhardson on December 5, 2024
Chicopee, MA– “I just want everyone to know that Santa Claus is
coming to town,” said Mayor John Vieau at the Chicopee City Council
held a meeting on Dec. 3.
Vieau was announcing a Christmas themed
event to be held for the public on Friday Dec. 6 at city hall, but Christmas came early for the police department as
well, with the city council either approving or referring to
committee a suite of new surveillance technology that will cost the
city $782,461.
The council approved
unanimously $447,461 for the purchase of body cameras and dash
cameras, lease of tasers,
Fusus Real-Time Crime Center software, interview and booking room
cameras, cloud-based storage,
and related software.
The city plans to establish a real-time crime center, which Vieau insisted on calling the “real-time information center.” It will integrate AI systems and body camera footage to provide instant analysis of incidents. This fusion center is designed to improve response times, enhance situational awareness, and ultimately increase public safety.
The purported capabilities of the new AI software include streamlined report writing, instant language translation capabilities, and expedited data analysis. This technology aims to reduce administrative burdens on officers, allowing them more time to focus on patrol duties.
Councilor Roy noted that these technological advancements would bring Chicopee’s police department into line with other leading departments across the country and stressed the importance of public safety in maintaining a thriving community.
“The technology's
gonna be amazing for the residents,” said council President Frank
Laflamme. “And it's gonna hopefully help solve some of our
problems, and maybe with some of the speeders, we are gonna be able
to tag their plates, so that's gonna help. I think we're moving in
the right direction with that,” said Laflamme.
The council additionally referred the the finance committee for review tow other appropriations requested by Police Chief Patrick Major; to fund six months of salaries for three new civilian positions ($135,750.00), and additional software called Axon AI Era ($147,000).
It is unclear if Chief Major considers police to not be civilians, but Mayor Vieau stated that the purpose of the new civilian positions was to allow officers to get back to more police work, suggesting that he sees a distinction between law enforcement officers and other civilians.
Under Article 50 of the Geneva Convention, civilians are persons who are not members of the armed services. In the United States, the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the military from acting in a domestic law enforcement role, except for the National Guard of a state acting at the direction of the Governor.
According to a memo
sent from Major to Mayor Vieau, “the Axon AI Era Plan will increase
efficiency, faster decision-making, and streamline processing for
time-saving while keeping police ahead of emerging public safety
challenges and threats.”
The council also voted to accept a donation of $6,800 from the Home Depot Foundation. The money will be used to purchase coats and other cold-weather wear which will be distributed in Home Depot buckets to homeless individuals by police officers.
This article was updated to fix typos and formatting on Dec. 6, 2024.
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