Advisory
IMPD leadership showcases crime-fighting technology
IMPD leadership showcases crime-fighting technology 
Fleet of seven public safety camera trailers to be deployed throughout the city
INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Mayor Joe Hogsett, IMPD Assistant Chief Chris Bailey and Commander Matthew Thomas highlighted recent additions to IMPD’s crime fighting technology. This includes a fleet of seven public safety camera trailers that residents can expect to see throughout the city.
“IMPD’s fleet of mobile camera trailers is a key piece of our three-year, $150 million violence reduction plan,” said Mayor Hogsett. “Thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, more neighborhoods will see this critical part of our comprehensive strategy, a strategy that has coincided with a substantial, sustained declined in the level of gun violence year-over-year.”
These mobile trailers can be placed quickly throughout the city at a speed and in locations that are not possible with permanent installations. They are equipped with both a generator and solar panels for power, and can operate completely free of hardwired internet or landline power needs. The trailers are portable and transported via a vehicle at the direction of the Incident Analysis Center (IAC).
“This expansion allows the department to stay adaptable to where and when violence occurs. Once trends are identified by our community members, analysts, and officers, IMPD can deploy a mobile trailer, providing IMPD with extra resources in a specific area,” said Assistant Chief Chris Bailey.
The devices stream video in real-time back to the IAC. The IAC is staffed with detectives and analysts during specific hours of events and crime prevention operations. IMPD hopes to increase the team of analysts over the next year to provide 24/7 staffing. Once the video is streamed to the IAC, it is then retained for 30 days, unless there is a specific investigative reason to keep it longer.
“IMPD detectives have already seen great results using these devices in our entertainment zones, by identifying high-risk behavior by armed individuals, dispatching officers, and deescalating situations. We look forward to the results we will see from devices as well as other technology we have deployed,” said Commander Matthew Thomas.
IMPD is using a layered approach in the deployment of the trailers and other technology. Safety cameras, B-link cameras, camera trailers, license plate readers, and body-worn cameras are intended to work together and complement each other. By using this multi-faceted approach, IMPD is able to recover multiple pieces of evidence to help generate leads, solve cases, and hold violent offenders accountable for their actions in our community.
IMPD previously had one mobile trailer camera in its fleet and recently was able to purchase six additional ones through various grants. The funding comes from grants including Project Safe Neighborhoods, Smart Policing Initiative, and the American Rescue Plan Act. Each camera costs nearly $74,000. IMPD plans to purchase four more trailers within a year.
Mayor Hogsett announced a comprehensive violence reduction plan in fall 2021, powered by $150 million in American Rescue Plan funds unanimously approved by the City-County Council. The plan emphasizes law enforcement investments, including $9 million in modern policing technology, 100 new IMPD officer positions, and up to 40 IMPD civilian positions to cover non-emergencies. It also addresses root causes of violence through $45 million for grassroots violence prevention organizations, 50 peacemakers to engage with those at risk of becoming perpetrators or victims of gun violence, $30 million for mental health resources, and more.
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INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Mayor Joe Hogsett, IMPD Assistant Chief Chris Bailey and Commander Matthew Thomas highlighted recent additions to IMPD’s crime fighting technology. This includes a fleet of seven public safety camera trailers that residents can expect to see throughout the city.
“IMPD’s fleet of mobile camera trailers is a key piece of our three-year, $150 million violence reduction plan,” said Mayor Hogsett. “Thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, more neighborhoods will see this critical part of our comprehensive strategy, a strategy that has coincided with a substantial, sustained declined in the level of gun violence year-over-year.”
These mobile trailers can be placed quickly throughout the city at a speed and in locations that are not possible with permanent installations. They are equipped with both a generator and solar panels for power, and can operate completely free of hardwired internet or landline power needs. The trailers are portable and transported via a vehicle at the direction of the Incident Analysis Center (IAC).
“This expansion allows the department to stay adaptable to where and when violence occurs. Once trends are identified by our community members, analysts, and officers, IMPD can deploy a mobile trailer, providing IMPD with extra resources in a specific area,” said Assistant Chief Chris Bailey.
The devices stream video in real-time back to the IAC. The IAC is staffed with detectives and analysts during specific hours of events and crime prevention operations. IMPD hopes to increase the team of analysts over the next year to provide 24/7 staffing. Once the video is streamed to the IAC, it is then retained for 30 days, unless there is a specific investigative reason to keep it longer.
“IMPD detectives have already seen great results using these devices in our entertainment zones, by identifying high-risk behavior by armed individuals, dispatching officers, and deescalating situations. We look forward to the results we will see from devices as well as other technology we have deployed,” said Commander Matthew Thomas.
IMPD is using a layered approach in the deployment of the trailers and other technology. Safety cameras, B-link cameras, camera trailers, license plate readers, and body-worn cameras are intended to work together and complement each other. By using this multi-faceted approach, IMPD is able to recover multiple pieces of evidence to help generate leads, solve cases, and hold violent offenders accountable for their actions in our community.
IMPD previously had one mobile trailer camera in its fleet and recently was able to purchase six additional ones through various grants. The funding comes from grants including Project Safe Neighborhoods, Smart Policing Initiative, and the American Rescue Plan Act. Each camera costs nearly $74,000. IMPD plans to purchase four more trailers within a year.
Mayor Hogsett announced a comprehensive violence reduction plan in fall 2021, powered by $150 million in American Rescue Plan funds unanimously approved by the City-County Council. The plan emphasizes law enforcement investments, including $9 million in modern policing technology, 100 new IMPD officer positions, and up to 40 IMPD civilian positions to cover non-emergencies. It also addresses root causes of violence through $45 million for grassroots violence prevention organizations, 50 peacemakers to engage with those at risk of becoming perpetrators or victims of gun violence, $30 million for mental health resources, and more.
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Address/Location
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
50 N Alabama St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
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