Indianola Police Chief Ronald Sampson is hoping the board of aldermen, local businesses and residents will get behind the purchase of new camera technology that could help solve or prevent crimes in real time.
Sam Goad, senior technology architect for Jackson-based Pileum, spoke to the board at this past Wednesday’s called meeting about Fusus, a system that allows businesses and residents to share video with law enforcement agencies in real time.
Goad said to think of it as a “real time crime center.”
“It makes investigative work faster,” he said of the donated video concept. “It makes responses to any kind of crimes a lot faster.”
The city would have to commit to a three-year contract with Pileum in order to integrate the Fusus technology, at $50,000 a year.
Volunteer participants would then purchase a Fusus core device for $200 and pay a yearly subscription fee of $150, making the initial investment for participating businesses or residents $350.
Once businesses and residents are integrated into the system, they may allow police 24/7 access to their video feeds, or they may restrict access until police ask for video after an event like a shooting or robbery.
Fusus also has a registry where residents and businesses who may not want to share real time video with law enforcement can let police know that they have a camera system on-site they may request access to during an investigation.
Goad noted that Fusus does not currently integrate with Ring cameras.
Goad pointed out that cities can integrate alerts, weapons detection, drone footage and mobile command footage into the system.
As part of the package, the city would also get a website for tips, as well as a tips phone line, where citizens may donate video to law enforcement.
Sampson told The Enterprise-Tocsin he is hopeful the city will eventually adopt the technology.
He said that it could prove to be an invaluable tool in helping his understaffed department combat and solve crimes in a more-timely manner.
The city did not make a motion on the purchase but will consider it at a later meeting.
