Lawrenceville police quietly brought a new digital nerve center online Wednesday, firing up a Real Time Information Center designed to feed officers live intel in the middle of unfolding calls. The setup pulls together 911 audio, camera feeds, automated license-plate reader alerts and linked crime databases into a single operations room so analysts can flag suspects and push details straight to patrol units. City officials say the buildout relied on grant money, keeping the cost to local taxpayers at little or nothing.
What the center does
Inside the RTIC, civilian analysts sit in front of banks of screens, watching live 911 calls, public and private camera streams, automated license-plate reader hits and crime databases. Their job is to turn that firehose of data into usable tips and send it out to officers in the field in real time.
The department tapped Damien Cruz to stand up and lead the unit. Cruz, who previously worked with the Gwinnett County district attorney’s office, said the RTIC “gives officers more actionable information.” Police Chief John Mullin said the system is expected to “enhance safety and improve response times,” according to WSB-TV.
Funding and staffing
Officials say the RTIC was intentionally built to keep the impact on local taxpayers to a minimum. Federal appropriations records list roughly $1.03 million set aside for Lawrenceville police equipment and technology, according to Congress.gov.
The new center is housed inside the department’s administration division and falls under the administration commander’s portfolio, per the City of Lawrenceville. As the city staffed up the operation, it posted for a Real Time Information Center manager position, according to a listing on GovernmentJobs.
Gwinnett’s expanding network
Lawrenceville is not the first in Gwinnett County to go this route. Duluth brought a similar real-time hub online months earlier and has cited the system as one factor in recent drops in certain property crimes, according to WSB-TV…