PUEBLO — The City of Pueblo has received a $1 million grant from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to assist with funding the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC).
The city says Mayor Heather Graham, Police Chief Chris Noeller and Chief of Staff Brian McCain recently presented before DOLA regarding the grant application.
According to the city, consideration for the grant was based on the following:
- energy impact
- degree of need
- measurable outcomes
- amount of request
- relationship to the community goals
- level of local match
- community support
- management capacity
- resiliency and readiness to go
“This is the second $1 million award the City of Pueblo has received this year from the Department of Local Affairs which provides a tremendous influx of dollars for critical needs in our community,” said Mayor Graham. “While the Real Time Crime Center is already up and running, we are expanding the ShotSpotter technology, capacity and applying more upgrades to assist our officers during critical calls.”
The RTCC went live in early July and it includes the following:
- ShotSpotter technology
- officer worn body camera footage
- drone footage when deployed by police
- camera footage, such as doorbell or security cameras
- license plate readers
The city says this allows non-sworn personnel to assist police officers with a call in real time. The RTCC provides information to be relayed in a time of need during crisis or emergency.
“We are excited to receive this grant and looking forward to the increased capability this funding will bring to our Real Time Crime Center and our officers on the street,” said Police Chief Noeller.
The city says they are required to match the grant, meaning $2 million will be allocated to the RTCC.
According to the city, the RTCC has been utilized to identify individuals with car theft, shot detections that weren't reported and other crime related incidents.
The grant provides funding to increase ShotSpotter locations and fund upgrades to expand technology.
According to the city, as of Saturday, 676 incidents of shots fired have been detected by ShotSpotter. Police say they are seeing benefits of the technology in their daily calls.
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