Participating businesses will be outfitted with Avigilon cameras, blue lights and programme signage and will be actively monitored by, and connected directly to, the Dallas Police Department’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) using Motorola Solution’s Commandcentral Aware software. By connecting these cameras to the RTCC, officers will gain additional insights when responding to events, be able to resolve incidents faster and return officers to the street in a timely manner. The Starlight programme is open to businesses throughout the city.

The pilot programme will launch at three locations that have experienced a high volume of calls for police services. “This is an exciting time for the Dallas Police Department and our partners, Safer Dallas and Motorola Solutions,” said Reneé Hall, chief of police for the Dallas Police Department. “The technology fosters faster decision-making with real-time situational awareness. The ultimate goal is to protect the public while making first responders more effective by providing much-needed information before they even arrive on the scene.”

“We have seen great success in a variety of communities in using technology, like our integrated software and video security solutions, to create a tighter connection between public and private entities and further our shared mission of improving public safety,” said Neil Thomas, vice president of Motorola Solutions’ sales and services organisation. “We’re proud to launch this new pilot programme with the Dallas Police and Safer Dallas to help connect the Dallas community to public safety.”

The pilot programme launched on October 28th 2019,  and is expected to run for six months. After the initial pilot phase, the three organisations will evaluate the impact of the programme and explore further expansion.