INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is touting cameras and other technology in its crime-fighting success.
As part of a news conference, IMPD said it has added 63 automated license plate readers, bringing the total to 321 in the city. IMPD's proposed budget calls for funding to add 150 more.
IMPD said the cameras have helped with leads in crimes, calls for domestic violence to homicides, missing persons and fatal hit-and-runs.
"Hopefully in tonight’s budget, people will realize the importance of investing more money, more funds into these things," IMPD Chief Randal Taylor said. "Cameras and stuff have been an incredible help to this department."
13News has found court documents that show the license plate readers have been key evidence in a series of high-profile cases.
When a Dutch soldier was shot and killed downtown and two others wounded, police used the camera system to identify a suspect vehicle.
The cameras were also key to developing a suspect in a road rage shooting that led to an attempted murder charge.
In another case, the cameras were used to help with a suspect after somebody fired shots into several houses on South Mount Street on the city's west side on four different days in January.
IMPD said detectives from across the department use camera footage daily.
"I know on many of the homicides, they say, one, 'Do you have bodycam video?' or, 'Do you have surveillance video?' It’s helping convict more people," IMPD Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations Kendale Adams said.
IMPD was unable to provide details on how much the city has spent on the camera system to date.
The department also says they're looking to add 30 police drones and 30 pilots to the 18 drones and 13 pilots they currently have.
"We can push video to command staff on the ground or K-9 teams on the ground and give real-time situational awareness to decision makers," IMPD Commander of Aviation Sgt. Ron Shellnut said. "Do we need to reallocate assets to the west or to the east? Or whatever it is."
Mobile trailer cameras and public safety cameras
In 2023, the city added six mobile trailer camera systems, for a total of 12.
The devices do not need any hardwiring for internet or power. They can be used to stream back video in real-time and are used in high-crime areas or when there are large gatherings for events.
IMPD has also added 32 public safety cameras, with five views on each setup. In total, there are about 100 camera systems in use.
In its 2024 budget, IMPD hopes to add 50 more.
B-link technology
The city is also touting the B-link camera system.
It said there are about 60 businesses that participate with 180 views.
IMPD said 30 businesses were added in 2023.
B-link allows business owners to register their security cameras with IMPD and grant livestream access.
Police say right now, its network of cameras is monitored in real-time on weekends and business hours during the week.
They say starting next month, people will begin to monitor the cameras around the clock.
“Really looking forward to that expanded coverage. We really want to get to a 24-hour, 7 days a week operation. We’ve got a little bit more to go to get there, but we are moving closer to what we would call a 24-hour operation," Adams said.