Crabtree Valley Mall partners with Raleigh police. Here’s what they’re doing now.
A month after three people were arrested in a shooting that damaged 20 cars, Raleigh’s Crabtree Valley Mall has partnered with the Raleigh Police Department to give law enforcement real-time access to its security cameras.
The partnership announced Monday is part of ConnectRaleigh, a program the Police Department launched this year.
Participants have two options:
▪ They can register their cameras, which lets police create a map of cameras in the city and reach out via email if an emergency or criminal activity occurs near a camera site.
▪ They can take it a step further and integrate their cameras, giving law enforcement live access to real-time footage when emergencies or crimes occur.
As of Tuesday, the program had 681 registered cameras and 1,264 integrated cameras, its website stated. With more than 1.3 million square feet of retail space and over 200 stores, the mall is now the program’s largest private partner in terms of cameras connected and areas covered, according to a news release.
The mall declined to share how many cameras it has, citing security concerns, but said it operates cameras indoors and outdoors throughout the property.
Crabtree also has its own security team “supplemented with Raleigh Police Department officers,” a spokeswoman said via email, but the mall said it couldn’t share further details on the team’s staffing, again citing security concerns.
“We are grateful that Crabtree is adopting this technology to provide additional security measures,” Police Chief Estella Patterson said in the release. “The safety of everyone who visits their property is top priority.”
The early stages of ConnectRaleigh began last September with the installation of Fūsus cameras in downtown Raleigh, which was paid for by the Raleigh Police Foundation, The News & Observer previously reported. The police department launched the citywide program this spring.
To integrate their cameras, participants must connect a fūsusCORE device, which creates “a virtual bridge” between the camera system and the Police Department, according to a program infographic. Businesses can receive the device for free.
Fūsus doesn’t use facial recognition but does use artificial intelligence to rapidly search videos for recognizable weapons and vehicles of interest, the program’s website states. Camera owners can also choose when law enforcement can access live feeds.
“We continue to invest in our systems, responses, communication technology, training, and resources to provide greater protection,” Debra Overholt, Crabtree’s general manager, said in the release. “Our integration with RPD on ConnectRaleigh is an example of just that and a testament to our commitment to provide a welcoming environment for guests, retailers and the community to shop, dine and create memories.”
