INDIANAPOLIS- The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Indy Public Safety Foundation have been awarded the Integrated Justice Information System Institute’s Innovation Award for the implementation of B. Link- or Business Link- Indy. B. Link Indy leverages technology to connect IMPD with security camera systems owned by residents and businesses to improve police response, further investigations, and deter crime. The prestigious IJIS Institute Award recognizes technical innovation that has contributed significantly to the advancement of integration and interoperability in a justice, public safety, or homeland security project or program.
The Indianapolis implementation of B. Link uniquely pairs private camera registration, managed through CityProtect, and business camera live stream integration into the IMPD Incident Analysis Center (IAC). Created in 2019, the IAC is a facility monitored by IMPD that uses camera feeds and data to provide intelligence to beat officers. Last week, Chief Randal Taylor and Mayor Joe Hogsett announced that IMPD will expand its crime analysis and intelligence efforts to include 24/7 operations of the IAC.
The most successful implementations of programs like b.link involve a strong presence from the private sector and business community. Indy Public Safety Foundation is serving as the key liaison between Indy's business community and IMPD to provide options for business owners to link their cameras using b.link. IMPD and IPSF encourage individuals or business owners who are interested in registering personal cameras (i.e. Ring doorbell) or exploring options to integrate camera live streams please visit blinkindy.org.
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