by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet

The Clermont Police Department is one step closer to the goal of achieving a “Real-time Crime Center (RTCC)” within the agency. With the assistance of Axon Fusus, officers within the agency can access real-time camera coverage of specific areas throughout the city. The system also allows access to other areas of jurisdiction that participate in the program. Currently, coverage areas include city and county-owned cameras that are installed in public parks, public schools throughout Lake County, and businesses that participate in the program.

Fusus is a map-based interface that combines private and public video streams into a single feed, allowing for greater situational awareness. Video streams from fixed and eventually mobile sources are all combined into a single platform that allows responding officers and RTCC staff to view areas in real time. “The system can save countless hours of knocking on doors and looking for witnesses when investigators or field officers can see the viewed areas themselves in either real-time or replay mode,” says Clermont Police Chief John Graczyk.

The Clermont Police Department has launched a program that allows private citizens and businesses to participate in crime fighting. Connect Clermont is a new public safety program that enables the people of Clermont to help keep our community safe. Connect Clermont currently has 664 integrated cameras and 6 registered cameras that are in use in and around the city limits of Clermont. Chief Graczyk emphasized the point that residential cameras are not live feeds to the Fusus system unless the owner of the camera wants and allows them to be. “We cannot randomly access your camera feed and watch what is happening in and around your home,” says Chief Graczyk.

There are two levels available for citizens to register their home cameras. Level 1: Registering your camera. Citizens can register their security camera(s) with Connect Clermont. Camera registration takes less than a minute via the online portal that is available in the website link listed below. Registering your camera  does not allow the Clermont Police Department access to your live video stream- it only enables investigators to know that a camera is present at your location and that helpful information may be available. The investigator will notify the camera owner, via email or phone, and request video evidence should an incident occur in that particular area.

Level 2: Integrate your camera. Businesses and residents can take community security one step further by giving the Clermont Police Department direct access to your camera feed in case of a nearby emergency. This level is particularly helpful in “in-progress” type situations where information is needed immediately and in real-time. Examples of that could be suspect descriptions, vehicle descriptions, what is happening at the scene, directions that suspects fled, and other helpful information for responding officers. A Core device is required by the camera owner for this level of use. Purchase details can be found on the website provided below.

“In a time when digital technology has become so commonplace, it is imperative that our department not only keep up with that technology but also make the best use of it in keeping the citizens of our community safe. I understand fully the concerns that some may have with the “big brother effect” of this program. There is a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page on the website that will likely answer most concerns. However, a member of our department will be glad to answer any questions that someone might have regarding the camera program,” says Chief Graczyk. 

Visit www.KeepClermontSafe.org or call the Clermont Police Department at 352-394-5588 for more information.

(Images are courtesy of Axon Fusus and are not representative of any area in the City of Clermont, nor the Clermont Police Department’s RTCC)

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