The Memphis Police Department is celebrating the kick-off of its Connect Memphis camera integration program with business partners in the city.

The police department hosted a meeting with business people Thursday, July 27, in the first floor auditorium of 600 Jefferson Ave., where MPD’s Real Time Crime Center is. 

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Through the Connect Memphis program, which officially launched July 1, law enforcement will have real-time access to video feeds from businesses that have integrated their cameras. Businesses and homeowners also have the option of registering their cameras so law enforcement knows where they’re located and request access if needed.

MPD Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis said other cities have used the model, and that it speeds up investigations and response processes.

“What we hope is that integrating our camera systems throughout the city through a public and private sector partnership will be a force multiplier for our city as it relates to solving crimes and investigating crimes,” Davis told attendees during the meeting. 

She added: “This is not a panacea for crime. This is just a tool.”

The city and the police department initially announced Connect Memphis in November 2022.

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At that time, businesses, including Wiseacre Brewing Co. Downtown, a downtown law firm and a mini market at South 2nd Street and Madison Avenue, had already registered their cameras. 

‘They understand what is happening before they get on scene’

The integration system platform is hosted by Fusus, a company that provides law enforcement agencies real-time crime center products. 

Chris Taylor and Anthony Baldoni, two representatives from Fusus, demonstrated the integration system Thursday.

“If, for instance, there is a 911 call from the Central BBQ that will be participating, the system will correlate the external cameras from Central BBQ, and then merge that information with the location at the 911 call so that responding officers have a more effective response,” Taylor said. 

Those monitoring the Real Time Crime Center can view the footage, or an officer can pull it up on their laptop. They also can share the video feed with team members. 

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“They understand what is happening before they get on scene, as well as the ability in an investigation to be able to roll back to tape maybe five minutes what was going on on scene prior to that 911 call,” Taylor said.

Officers and dispatchers can search an area for a vehicle using descriptors such as make or color. Once they get a match, they can use license plate recognition cameras to alert them when the vehicle is detected in a certain area. 

To have their cameras integrated, business owners need to buy a device that plugs into their camera system. Small Fusus devices cost from $350 to $7,300.

Subscription costs also range widely, from $150 annually for a model that integrates up to four cameras to $2,300 a year to integrate up to 50.

Buster’s Liquors & Wine, which has had two break-ins this year, has integrated its cameras, said Patty Smith, the store’s office manager. She hopes Buster’s participation in Connect Memphis will help police respond more quickly in the event of another break-in.

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Although MPD is cracking down on a retail theft ring, Smith does not think jail time is always enough to deter criminals. 

“(Police) can’t pursue, so at least this will give them some information,” Smith said. “They can follow some cars that were leaving the lot and maybe have some way to follow the people and find them sooner so they can slow this down.”

‘We are not big brother’

During Thursday’s meeting, Davis addressed concerns about the integration system being an invasion of privacy. 

“We are not big brother looking in on private places,” Davis said. “This is a public sector space network that will help us investigate and solve crimes in the city of Memphis.”

Melinda Reed, a retired police officer who does consulting for Kirby Pines LifeCare Community, isn’t concerned about “big brother.” She said the retirement community shares its video feed with the police department.

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“It goes back to if you see something, say something,” Reed said. “And if your camera is what’s ‘seeing something,’ you need to be able to share that, because it’s going to benefit you in the long run. You’re going to make your property safer.”

Bobby White, chief government relations officer with the Greater Memphis Chamber, is encouraging his members to participate in the program. 

“So many of our business leaders have wanted to know what can they do as it relates to public safety,” White said. “And actually integrating cameras and registering their cameras is a wonderful opportunity for them to play a part in the bigger effort to actually deal with issues around public safety.”

Joe Oakley, MPD’s deputy chief of IT, said he is looking forward to recruiting more businesses and homeowners to this program.

“We’re very excited about it,” Oakley said. “And we want to partner with our homeowners as well as our businesses so we can put a dent in our crime in this city and keep our officers and also our citizens safe.”