Evaluating the Use and Impact of Video Analytics to Enhance Law Enforcement Surveillance Systems

In FY2014 NIJ released solicitation NIJ–2014–3723 “Optimizing the Use of Video Technology to Improve Criminal Justice Outcomes”. That solicitation sought proposals for the identification, implementation, and evaluation of the applications of video cameras and advanced video analysis software that provide optimum crime control and prevention outcomes. NIJ’s Standing Scientific Review Panel (SRP) for Technology reviewed applications submitted to this FY2014 solicitation. Two awards were made. The panel recommended three additional applications for secondary review. The Acting NIJ Director at the time approved that recommendation.

This award was made in response to a resubmitted proposal submitted by Urban to the National Institute of Justice FY 2014/2015 solicitation "Optimizing the Use of Video Technology to Improve Criminal Justice Outcomes”

Urban proposes to evaluate the effects of integrating video analytics technologies into public surveillance systems. This is to be conducted in collaboration with the Baltimore, MD Police Department and IPVM. This study will examine a number of different video analytic technologies, specifically license plate recognition, crowd and behavior detection, perimeter intrusion detection, and facial recognition. It will also explore the integration of gunshot detection with video analytic technologies; an area that a number of police departments are now exploring. The specific questions that will be addressed in this study are:
• What is the utility of integrating video analytic software within an existing surveillance system to enhance law enforcement operational and investigative activities?
• What is the impact of video analytic enhanced surveillance on public safety outcomes?
• How are surveillance systems with video analytics most effectively incorporated into data-driven policing strategies already in operation?
• Can video analytics enhance policing strategies through real-time evaluation of camera feeds?
• What are the issues and challenges (e.g., technical, operational, legal, etc.) associated with implementation and use of video analytics in surveillance systems?
• Is the implementation of video analytics cost-beneficial?

This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law.

nca/ncf