SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — On the last day of the National Real Time Crime Center Association (NRTCCCA) conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, Chris Hopkins, the Real Time Analysis Center Manager for the Arizona State University Police Department, shared insights into ASU’s process of justifying, establishing and running a campus RTCC. He was accompanied by ASU Interim Police Chief John Thompson.
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) is not only one of the largest universities in the United States but also one of the most geographically diverse. With campuses spread across the Phoenix metropolitan area, the ASU Police Department faces unique challenges in maintaining safety and security. Covering four main campuses —Tempe, Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic and West — along with additional locations in Los Angeles, ASU’s law enforcement operations are complex and wide-ranging. This geographical spread necessitated a technological evolution within the department, leading to the creation of a real time analysis center that has become a pivotal tool in their operations.
Creating the real time analysis center
The creation of the ASU real time analysis center was not a straightforward process. It required foresight and strategic planning with various obstacles to overcome. The journey began with the realization that traditional policing methods were not sufficient to address the unique challenges posed by ASU’s sprawling and diverse campuses.
One of the critical early decisions was the acquisition of License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras. The LPR cameras were installed on the Tempe campus, which is the largest and most populous hosting tens of thousands of students, faculty and staff, and within three months, the department was seeing tangible results, catching criminal activity “right and left.”
“If there was a single piece of technology that changed what we were doing and then allowed me to get the wins necessary for us to do more, it was the cameras,” said Hopkins.
This initial success was crucial in building momentum for further investments in technology. However, it was clear that leadership needed to craft a clear path forward to secure the necessary funding. As Hopkins noted, “Leadership should be able to generate a path forward to get the money necessary to fund this, and it may not come all at once. Nothing ever does.”
Overcoming obstacles
Building the RTCC required overcoming several challenges, particularly in terms of integration and collaboration. One of the key lessons learned was the importance of early communication with dispatch teams. Hopkins emphasized the need to “have a conversation with [dispatch] early. And have a sit-down meeting with leadership.” This proactive approach helped prevent conflicts, especially as the role of the real time analysis center expanded.
The department also had to address concerns from officers who were wary of new technologies, particularly body-worn cameras that allowed live streaming. Initially, officers were uncomfortable with the idea of being watched in real-time, but over time, they began to see the benefits, particularly in enhancing officer safety and solving cases more efficiently. Hopkins shared, “We’ve also solved so many cases, theft cases, theft property. When our officers go out with a suspicious subject, and we go live...we know this guy...we got a guy we’re trying to ID on camera...and we can get resources [there] way quicker.”
Another challenge was managing expectations, both within the police department and among the public. There was a tendency for some to believe that the real time analysis center could solve every case, which led to unrealistic expectations. Hopkins was clear about the necessity to manage these expectations: “It can’t fix everything. It can’t. You’ll get people starting to get the impression you’ll solve every case. No, you won’t. It will do a lot of things that we never could do before, but it can’t fix everything.”
The future of ASU’s real time analysis center
Looking ahead, the ASU Police Department is focused on expanding its technological capabilities even further. Plans are in place to link the analysis center with systems used by the Los Angeles Police Department for ASU’s California campuses. The department also aims to integrate more cameras from various third-party entities, such as bookstores and convenience stores, into its network.
The success of the real time analysis center has also extended to everyday policing tasks. For instance, the department has seen a significant reduction in scooter thefts, a common issue on campus. By building cases against repeat offenders, the department has not only reduced thefts but also uncovered connections to larger criminal activities, including narcotics trafficking.
As Hopkins summarized, “We’ve dropped our scooter thefts by I’d say over 100 over the last year...and this academic year we were on, we’ve already got three of our major players in custody and we were only a week and a half into school.”
The ASU real time analysis center stands as a testament to how innovative thinking, strategic investment and effective communication can transform campus policing. Through overcoming obstacles and continually pushing the boundaries of what technology can do, the ASU Police Department has created a model that could serve as a blueprint for other campus police agencies.
Checklist for creating a campus-based real time crime center based on the Arizona State University (ASU) model
1. Gaining support and establishing leadership commitment
- Start with a strong proposal:
- Develop a comprehensive proposal outlining the vision, goals and benefits of the RTCC. Emphasize the importance of improving campus safety and the potential to enhance the effectiveness of existing resources.
- Engage campus leadership:
- Present the proposal to university leadership and key decision-makers. Highlight how the RTCC aligns with the university’s safety priorities.
- Engage stakeholders, including campus security, IT departments, and local law enforcement agencies, to build a coalition of support.
- Leverage external expertise:
- Involve experts or consultants who have experience in setting up RTCCs. This can provide credibility and help in addressing any concerns from stakeholders.
2. Securing funding
- Identify potential funding sources:
- Explore university funding avenues, including grants, safety budgets, and potential partnerships with private sector technology companies.
- Investigate state or federal grants dedicated to public safety initiatives or campus security improvements.
- Demonstrate the need:
- Use data from past incidents on campus or in surrounding areas to highlight the need for enhanced real-time monitoring.
- Provide a cost-benefit analysis showing how the RTCC could prevent crime, reduce response times, and potentially save lives.
3. Key and essential equipment
- Video cameras:
- Invest in high-quality, high-resolution cameras capable of providing clear images, even in low-light conditions.
- Position cameras strategically around the campus to cover high-traffic areas, entry and exit points, and any locations with a history of incidents.
- License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems:
- Deploy LPR systems at all vehicle entry and exit points on campus. This helps in identifying vehicles involved in incidents and tracking movements.
- Software for data integration and analysis:
- Implement software that can integrate various data sources, such as surveillance footage, LPR data and emergency calls, into a unified system.
- Ensure the software includes features like predictive analytics and real-time alerts.
- Communication systems:
- Set up secure, reliable communication systems that allow the RTCC to coordinate effectively with campus security, local law enforcement, and emergency responders.
- Include tools for direct communication with on-the-ground officers through radios or mobile devices.
4. Building and infrastructure facilities
- Secure a centralized location:
- Choose a location for the RTCC that is central to campus and easily accessible to key personnel.
- Ensure the facility is secure, with controlled access to protect sensitive information and equipment.
- Design the facility for efficiency:
- Create a layout that facilitates efficient monitoring, communication, and data analysis.
- Include large screens for real-time monitoring and workstations for operators to handle multiple feeds and data sources simultaneously.
- Plan for a backup power supply to ensure continuous operation during emergencies.
- Consider future expansion:
- Design the facility with scalability in mind, allowing for future expansion or upgrades as technology advances or the campus grows.
5. Staffing and training
- Hire skilled personnel:
- Recruit staff with expertise in data analysis, surveillance operations, and emergency response coordination.
- Ensure a mix of full-time operators and analysts who can monitor the RTCC around the clock.
- Provide comprehensive training:
- Develop a training program covering the use of RTCC technology, communication protocols, and emergency procedures.
- Include scenario-based training to prepare staff for various types of incidents.
- Establish a chain of command:
- Define clear roles and responsibilities for RTCC staff, including a chain of command for decision-making during emergencies.
- Ensure coordination with campus security and local law enforcement for a unified response.
By following this checklist, ASU successfully established its real time analysis center, enhancing the safety and security of the campus through real-time monitoring, data analysis and coordinated response efforts.
