New AI Cameras Enhance Atlantic City Safety with Advanced Video Search
Atlantic City is implementing a new network of public safety cameras equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance the city’s security measures. The $5 million camera network, consisting of 1,000 cameras, will support the Atlantic City Police Department in solving crimes through advanced video search capabilities.
According to Patrick Quinlan, the city’s IT director, the technology incorporates AI, enabling the police to perform advanced searches on recorded camera footage to identify and track down suspects. The cameras will not only capture images and videos but will also enable authorities to search for specific attributes such as hair color, clothing, and even brand distinction. This advanced search capability will facilitate the identification of individuals involved in criminal activities.
However, it is important to note that the AI-enabled cameras will not perform race or facial recognition searches. Instead, they will search for other attributes, ensuring privacy safeguards are in place. Atlantic City Police Chief James Sarkos emphasizes that the cameras are designed to search based on other characteristics rather than personal details.
The deployment of these cameras is in line with the mayor’s vision of transforming Atlantic City into a smart and secure city. The project aims to improve public safety and enhance crime-solving capabilities through technological advancements.
The cameras will be distributed across all neighborhoods in the city, with their exact locations determined based on crime data. The explicit visibility of the cameras aims to inform individuals that surveillance is being conducted in their areas. The project has been long awaited, and the special funding announced by the state has made it possible to implement the initiative.
This initiative builds upon previous technological improvements made by the Atlantic City Police Department, such as the installation of the ShotSpotter system in 2013, which detects gunfire and alerts authorities to the location of the incident. Additionally, the department introduced body cameras voluntarily in 2014, prior to the state mandate. In subsequent years, the city installed a Boardwalk camera system and established a Surveillance Center in the Public Safety Building.
The new AI cameras will not only aid in crime prevention but also help with crime resolution and emergency response. Fire Chief Scott Evans highlights that the cameras will be beneficial during special events and weather emergencies, enabling authorities to monitor flood-prone areas and ensure quicker and more efficient emergency responses.
The AI camera system, designed by Desmond Battiste of JCT Solutions, will have the capacity to store recordings for 45 to 60 days. The cameras are supplied by Hanwha, a South Korean company with a U.S. office in Teaneck, New Jersey.
The implementation of AI-enabled cameras marks another step towards enhancing public safety in Atlantic City, leveraging technological advancements to provide a secure environment for residents and visitors alike.
