Minneapolis Police and Minneapolis-based Securonet are asking business owners in the city to invest in public safety and crime prevention, and it won’t cost them a dime. SafeLink (www.mpls.securonetservices.com) leverages and networks cameras that are already in place; giving officers and investigators an immediate connection to camera owners for video footage following criminal incidents. Business owners simply need to sign up. It is a free and pragmatic “force multiplier.”
“If you think of something like the Boston bombing, investigators had to go door to door asking who owned cameras and how to obtain the video. Through programs like this, the process is all automated and much more efficient,” MPD Commander Scott Gerlicher said.
The system already in place was invaluable on St. Patrick’s Day, when a number of disturbances broke out in Minneapolis. 61 cameras were immediately utilized. 21 local businesses (100% response rate) responded to the call for video footage, allowing the MPD to leverage $305,000 worth of video assets.
“Securonet is an innovative initiative that has the potential to transform law enforcement and public safety in the Twin Cities. It was developed to create a strong partnership between the MPD and the communities they serve to deter and investigate criminal activity,” Justin Williams, Founder of Securonet said.
