The Knoxville Police Department has announced that its Real Time Information Center is now operational on a limited basis and the launch of the Connect Knoxville program, which gives community members, businesses and stakeholders an avenue to directly contribute to the safety and security of Knoxville.
 
The Real Time Information Center (RTIC) is housed at the Public Safety Complex and brings together a network of public cameras and privately-owned cameras voluntarily registered or integrated into the RTIC to enhance public safety. The RTIC is designed to support officers in the field responding to calls for service, detectives conducting criminal investigations and situational awareness during large-scale emergencies or special events.
 
The RTIC is currently staffed by a Sergeant and two full-time, non-sworn RTIC specialists. KPD is also in the process of hiring two additional RTIC specialists.
 
At this phase of the project, the RTIC will be open and operational five days a week and as needed during special events or large-scale emergencies. 
 
In addition to public cameras that have been integrated into the RTIC, KPD has purchased and installed 10 cameras approved by City Council for RTIC purposes at locations that were chosen based on available infrastructure and a review of three years of police calls for service. RTIC owned and managed cameras are clearly marked and overt in nature.
 
The location of the 10 RTIC managed cameras can be found on the RTIC webpage, which includes additional information about the project, a link to the departmental policy guiding RTIC use and more.
 
With the RTIC now operational on a limited basis, Knoxville businesses, organizations and residents can contribute to the RTIC and help solve crimes in their neighborhood by voluntarily participating in the Connect Knoxville program. Businesses and residents can participate in the Connect Knoxville program in one of two ways:
 
Camera Registration: Residents and businesses can register camera and owner information with the RTIC. This option does not allow KPD to access cameras. Instead, it simply lets the KPD know that a camera is present at a location and the contact information for the camera owner, reducing the amount of time traditionally required to canvas for camera footage and obtain video evidence following a reported crime.
 
Camera Integration: Area businesses and organizations can voluntarily integrate their cameras into the RTIC, sharing access with the KPD in the event of an emergency or 911 call for service. Those integrating their cameras can set preferences regarding when and which cameras are accessible and must purchase a FususCORE device that plugs into their camera server.
 
Residents and businesses can register or integrate their cameras, purchase the necessary equipment, and find more information about the Connect Knoxville program at www.connectknoxvilletn.org.