Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that New York City’s 911 emergency services telephone line, as well as 311, the city’s public information help line, will now begin accepting photographs and videos from cellular phones and computers.
“When it comes to crime fighting, a picture is worth more than a thousand words,” said Police Commissioner Kelly.
When a victim or witness wants to send photos or video relating to a crime, the 911 operator intakes the information regarding the crime and then assigns a code to the caller. The code is then transmitted to the Real Time Call Center where a detective will receive the information and then contact the victim or witness directly with an address where he/she can send the photos or video.
The mayor is hopeful that, by next year, the city will have a system implemented in which photos received in the call center can be sent to nearby patrol cars.
“This technology should put a scare into every would be criminal. Because the chances of getting caught in the act are now better than ever,” said Mayor Bloomberg.
Also, allowing citizens to send photographs and videos to 311 will assist in reporting and identifying quality of life complaints as well as public safety hazards. For example: pot holes, damaged trees, license plates, problems with traffic lights, etc.
Last month, the NYPD’s crime stopper hotline, 1-800-577-TIPS, began to accept text messages as an alternative to increase youth involvement in reporting crimes.