A comprehensive study analyzing 243 homicides and nonfatal shootings in Hartford, Connecticut, over a two-year period from January 2022 through December 2023 showed that their comprehensive approach of combining cutting-edge technology with skilled personnel and efficient workflows has improved investigative outcomes and the apprehension of violent offenders.
They achieved a staggering 442% increase in case solvability for firearm assault incidents with video evidence.
LPR, Slack
The City of Hartford, Connecticut, faced increasing levels of gun violence, making it critical for the police to find more effective ways to solve crimes. While surveillance cameras were already deployed throughout the city, there was no clear data on how much these cameras contributed to crime resolution. Additionally, the Hartford Police Department (HPD) needed to ensure that any future investments in surveillance infrastructure would provide measurable, long-term results.
Sergeant Chris Mastroianni, supervisor of the Capital City Command Center (C4) real-time crime center, recognized the potential of technology to transform policing. He aimed to improve the solvability of cases, particularly homicides and gun violence, as well as quantifying the results to increase support and funding for C4 programs.
The HPD established C4 in 2016 with the goal to build a comprehensive system that could support both real-time operations and follow-up investigations. At the core of this system is open platform video technology from Milestone Systems, which integrates seamlessly with other key technologies.
Throughout the city, C4 utilizes an extensive video surveillance network of approximately 1,400 cameras integrated with automatic license plate reader (LPR) technology. In addition, gunshot detection technology monitors two-thirds of the city, including residential areas.
Milestone XProtect video management software (VMS) serves as the backbone of C4, for efficient management and retrieval of video data.
- Milestone’s open architecture enables smooth integration of AXIS network video cameras for high-resolution monitoring
- BriefCam’s video analytics for accelerated investigations and enhanced real-time decision making
- SoundThinking’s ShotSpotter for gunshot detection
- A custom Slack implementation facilitates rapid information sharing among officers and analysts, addressing the critical need for secure and efficient communication in law enforcement operations.
This combination enables HPD to gather and analyze vast amounts of video data efficiently, leading to quicker case resolutions. Milestone’s platform also provides scalability, allowing Hartford to expand its camera network as needed and integrate additional technologies such as drones and analytics on the edge.
C4’s success is not just about the technology — it’s about the processes and people behind it. Hartford’s C4 now serves as a model for data-driven crime-fighting initiatives. Through the integrated use of Milestone’s VMS and BriefCam, and the various third-party technologies, the city achieved a 442% increase in the solvability of shooting cases with video evidence.
Additionally, the presence of integrated, real-time surveillance has likely contributed to a significant reduction in gun violence, with Hartford experiencing its lowest number of shooting incidents in nearly 20 years. The C4’s process of documenting and tracking every action taken within the real-time crime center has provided undeniable proof of the value of the technology investments, ensuring continued support and funding from city leadership.
This technology-driven approach has dramatically improved case solvability and clearance rates, transforming HPD’s ability to serve and protect Hartford residents.
To quantify the impact of C4, Mastroianni partnered with a researcher from the University of Pennsylvania to conduct a rigorous study of cases from January 2022 to December 2023. The results were striking and demonstrated the significant value of video evidence in criminal investigations:
- Cases with associated video evidence were 442% more likely to be solved compared to cases without video evidence.
- Even when video did not directly capture the incident but provided contextual information, the likelihood of solving the case increased by 345%.
In addition to these findings, in 2024, the City of Hartford experienced its lowest levels of gun violence in 20 years.