When people think of video surveillance technology in policing, they often imagine investigative search for crimes like robbery, kidnaping or organized crime. But the real-time crime center (RTCC) in Hartford, Connecticut, is proving that video analytics can do far more than just solve conventional cases. It can also empower cross-agency collaboration, enhance community trust and bring order to quality-of-life issues that typically fall through the cracks.
Sergeant Mastroianni of the Hartford Police Department and his team are using BriefCam video analytics in conjunction with XProtect video management software (VMS) to address unique challenges in their city. This article will explore two real-world case studies straight from the Hartford RTCC and show the transformative power of video analytics technology in community safety and smart policing.
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Like many cities, Hartford has struggled with the impact of illegal dumping—an expensive, unsightly problem often perpetrated by contractors trying to avoid disposal fees. Despite best efforts, the issue persisted in hidden corners of the city where traditional enforcement was nearly impossible.
After repeated dumping incidents on one dead-end street, the city called on the RTCC for help. Police installed high-resolution cameras and license plate readers, and within 24 hours, they captured a van pulling in, dumping furniture and driving off. The footage provided clear views of the driver and the license plate of the rented vehicle.
"It went from a quick trash dump to an instantly solvable case," said Mastroianni. "We could match the plate to the driver, show it to the court and ensure restitution."
Using BriefCam, the team could also filter video based on object types (e.g. trucks towing boats or hauling tires) to find common patterns in other illegal dumping cases. As a result, several arrests were made, and offenders were required to pay restitution for cleanup costs calculated by the Department of Public Works. In larger cases, Hartford PD even pursued vehicle forfeiture. With each solved incident, illegal dumping enforcement improved, deterrence increased, and city resources were preserved.
For a long time, residents in one Hartford neighborhood had been lodging ongoing complaints about a house that hosted loud, late-night parties. However, because the property owners lived there and hosting parties on private property isn’t illegal, it was difficult for police to intervene until there were escalations like violence or gunshots.
Hartford PD tried alternative routes for resolving the problem by collaborating with the Fire Marshal’s office to explore whether building code violations or unlicensed alcohol sales could provide legal grounds for action. But without solid evidence, they couldn’t obtain a search warrant. That’s where technology came in.
A camera was deployed outside the property, and the video was analyzed using BriefCam to reduce hours of activity into minutes of searchable evidence and thus revealing the true scale of the operation. More than 1,300 people were captured entering the residence over a four-hour period—far beyond what any private party should host.
"It looked like a regular house," Sergeant Mastroianni explained. "But we were able to use heat maps and path tracking to show everyone was entering through the basement—not the front door. That gave us the proof we needed."
With evidence in hand, city officials secured an administrative warrant and found a cash register, bar, no secondary exits, no bathroom and extensive fire code violations. The operation was finally shut down, fines were levied, and the community finally saw relief.
Hartford’s real-time crime center is not only helping close cases but driving down gun violence citywide. In 2024, Hartford saw its lowest number of gun violence victims in nearly two decades. A recently published peer-reviewed study co-authored by Mastroianni showed that cases with video evidence were 442% more likely to be solved than those without.
"We always knew technology was helping, but we needed to prove it," states Mastroianni. "Now we have data to show that video analytics is even more effective than DNA or eyewitnesses in driving case resolution."
This success has encouraged other city departments—like the Fire Marshal and Public Works—to adopt video tools for their own needs. It also strengthened Hartford PD’s case for funding and expansion.
Hartford’s success shows what’s possible when law enforcement embraces a holistic, tech-powered strategy for community safety. Whether it's an underground nightclub or chronic illegal dumping, BriefCam helps agencies gain insight, act faster and protect citizens more effectively.
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