SE Valley Times

It’s a nightmare scenario: A report of an active shooter at a building on a bustling university campus.

But instead of panic, the reaction is a swift, mediated assessment of real-time footage within and around the subject building, which reveals no signs of distress or concerning activity.

That information is immediately relayed to officers arriving on the scene, who are able to respond safely and efficiently, ultimately determining the call was a hoax, or “swatting” incident, without causing any undue alarm or concern to bystanders.

That incident really happened. And it was made possible by ASU Police’s Real Time Analysis Center (RTAC), which allows department employees to better manage and monitor the vast expanse of Arizona State University’s ever-growing campuses, centers and properties throughout Arizona, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

“The most exciting capability of the RTAC is its ability to provide instantaneous situational awareness,” said 26-year ASU Police veteran and Patrol Division Commander Dan Macias. “The system allows us to transform reactive policing into proactive crime prevention and resolution.”

And after a full year of operation, the RTAC continues to prove its worth.

According to Chris Hopkins, ASU Police’s Real Time Analysis Center manager and intelligence analyst, the RTAC provides near-instant information sharing, quick identification and apprehension of suspects, crime prevention and increased public safety. It takes multiple state-of-the-art information systems from manufacturers such as Fusus (Axon), Genetec and Flock, then combines them with open-source internet tools and secure law enforcement databases to create a single integrated center that department analysts monitor to provide better support to officers on the ground.

Ashley Brandstrom monitors some of the more than 3,000 camera feeds accessible within the RTAC during one of her shifts in June. She and her counterparts maintain a watchful eye on each of ASU’s four Phoenix-area campuses as well as its properties in Lake Havasu City, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

One valuable capability of the RTAC is how it seamlessly integrates multiple systems to provide a broad perspective for analysts inside. On this screen patrols from different law enforcement agencies are depicted using GPS annotated with different color schemes and symbols.

The screens used in the RTAC can be customized instantly allowing analysts inside to zoom into an area during an incident providing better information for responding officers.

While housed in ASU Police’s Tempe headquarters it provides eyes-on situational awareness for each Phoenix-area campus as well as properties in Lake Havasu City Los Angeles Washington D.C

“I like to think of us as a ‘virtual officer,’” Hopkins said. “(We) use advanced software to map integrate various tools such as computer-aided dispatch automated police officer location tracking live body cameras automatic license-plate-reading cameras university-owned CCTV cameras which provide analysts opportunity virtually on-scene before call dispatched officers.”

Hopkins added that integrating existing 3 000-plus cameras at four Phoenix-area campuses school’s Los Angeles Lake Havasu City Washington D.C centers into RTAC once used investigate incidents after occurred now officials use resources real time direct officers better serve community protect resources campus

Another advantage technology mesh systems outside university

“We regularly access traffic light-rail cameras areas surrounding campuses cities Tempe Phoenix Mesa especially during events bring large numbers fans visitors campus like football games student move-in,” Hopkins said. “These cameras help identify safety issues traffic trends quickly mitigate using officer direct traffic city’s traffic center adjust traffic-light lengths better move lines vehicles clear congestion.”

Operations like RTAC new standard law enforcement agencies across country more than 125 cities U.S now operating similar systems So no surprise nation’s most innovative university first country utilize technologically advanced stand-alone system

Locally Phoenix Mesa Scottsdale Glendale police departments employ real-time crime centers akin ASU’s RTAC tailored specific needs police department fields it

“We mindfully built RTAC more efficiently effectively carry out mission fostering safe secure environment,” said acting Chief John Thompson “RTAC technologies balance need increased patrol capability growing university setting without significantly increasing uniformed presence achieves component LIFT (Listen Invest Facilitate Teach) Initiative contributing creating campus police force better meets needs community serves”

When there are no active calls Thompson added professionals focus proactive crime prevention monitoring areas generate higher crime statistics like bike racks bikes electric scooters stolen

“We’ve had numerous successful outcomes since launch year ago,” Thompson said “attribute successes dedication diligence collective PD team IT professionals resources afforded us leadership all deeply grateful”