PORTSMOUTH — Police in Portsmouth have upgraded and installed new gunshot detection software and license plate readers throughout the city — technology they say is already “paying dividends” for public safety.
Chief Stephen Jenkins briefed City Council members at a meeting earlier this month on the status of the new technology and equipment, which Jenkins previously likened to a “force multiplier” at a time when the department is plagued with vacancies. Among the tech upgrades are license plate readers, security cameras and gunshot detection software police say will help deter crime and improve response times.
In late July, Jenkins reported more than 20 homicides had been committed in Portsmouth this year. Aggravated assaults — including nonfatal shootings or other serious physical violence — had increased by at least 3% this year.
Other cities in Hampton Roads have deployed similar gunshot detection systems and license plate readers. Adoption of the technology hasn’t been without controversy, however, as privacy advocates and state leaders have argued the license plate reader technology gives law enforcement the ability to track motorists’ every move.
A new integrated camera system called Fusus, which plugs into the city’s nearly 400 traffic and surveillance cameras, has been fully implemented. Jenkins said the department is receiving and reviewing proposals to update the city’s existing closed circuit television cameras to grant them more tilting, panning and zooming capabilities to better track activity. Those cameras will likely be rolled out in phases, he said.
In July, Jenkins told the public in a forum that more than 250 home surveillance cameras have been registered with the police via a program called Portsmouth Connect.
The Flock Safety gunshot detection software and more than 40 automated license plate reader cameras are active and “continue to pay dividends for us,” Jenkins said, adding that vehicles have been recovered using such technology. Another dozen cameras are slated to be deployed. Areas where such software is active include the Southside Gardens, Dale Homes and Prentis Park communities, Jenkins said.
The chief said those who have access to the detection system receive the alert and use GPS tracking to respond.
“These systems are detecting the actual shots themselves regardless of whether a person calls or not,” Jenkins said.
The department is also wrapping up its new real-time crime center, which will be fed information from the Fusus system for monitoring.
Police are also upping a presence at Rivers Casino Portsmouth on Victory Boulevard with an on-site substation. Jenkins said the department is in its final stages of installing cameras and other equipment and he expects it’ll help with security and response times in that area of the city.
Jenkins said the department is working with the Portsmouth School Board to install new speed zone cameras, which he said would be at no cost to the city. He cited the implementation of such technology in Suffolk and some opposition among residents to it on social media, adding that Portsmouth will have media campaigns to inform locals of where such cameras will be.
He said the technology isn’t intended to be “a money-making venture.”
“This technology is coming to Portsmouth. People need to be aware of that,” Jenkins said. “Suffolk is one of the very localities that proves it that once implemented there is a significant decrease in the amount of speed that we have that go through those particular intersections and places. Again, the issue in and of itself is to slow drivers down and lessen the likelihood that somebody is struck and killed by a vehicle.”
The cost of the new technology was covered with more than $1 million of federal pandemic relief funds.
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
