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Daxon: Brea police chief proposes Integrated Crime Center

April 6, 2023

Most of us have only heard about integrated crime centers on TV police shows, if at all. Brea Police Chief Adam Hawley hopes to change that.

Chief Hawley plans to bring the crime-fighting advanced technology of an Integrated Crime Center to Brea and use it to dramatically alter how his personnel prevents, manages and solves crimes in Brea. Or, as he puts it, “Solving big city crime with small city resources.”

An ICC is a real technical wonder with backbone software and many moving parts to enhance police work and our safety by employing video management systems that can store video from more than 300 cameras throughout the city for up to 45 days. The plan is for various components of the ICC be added each year for five years in total.

The system will include automatic license plate readers, the ability to manage traffic, video analytics and other high-tech equipment as well as personnel for solving crimes and providing community benefits, including managing emergencies such as wildfires, earthquakes and other incidents by serving as an emergency operation center.

Probably most important, the system will be able to send real-time alerts to police officers and generate investigative leads. Hawley said this ability will also be used to keep folks safe at city events including the July 4 Country Fair, Brea Fest and other public gatherings.

Hawley first presented the proposed plan late last year at a City Council study session, and again this year at the Jan. 17 City Council meeting so more of the public could learn about. It will come back to the council possibly in June for a vote. That video presentation is available on the city’s and Police Department’s websites. Everyone is encouraged to view it.

On March 30, Hawley and Professional Standards Lt. Chris Harvey, the project’s manager, presented the proposed ICC project to Brea Chamber of Commerce members, representatives from Rep. Young Kim and Phillip Chen’s offices, Brea Mall officials and others.

At that presentation, Hawley explained that crime is rising and pro-active policing is changing, utilizing more technology to prevent and fight crime. And we’ve had some serious crimes over the past year in Brea, including several home invasion robberies in the Blackstone neighborhood, a smash and grab robbery at the Brea Mall and a deadly shooting at a 7-Eleven store. All of these have been resolved, he said, but that doesn’t mean more criminals won’t try again. An Integrated Crime Center may be the answer to keep crime down.

Hawley added that the department’s present portable cameras are outdated and need replacing.

Along with new cameras, unmanned drones and license plate readers will be added. In years three and five, drones as first responders will be included.

DFRs will be able to reach and report an incident before a patrol car could reach it. The DFR will have landing pads throughout the city. If PD drones seems too invasive to you, Hawley said the cameras would face skyward in flight, not aimed at your backyard.

The estimated total cost for the five-year project is nearly $5 million and they are seeking federal and state grants to fund it.

Community input is very important for such a huge project. Give yours at the ICC Town Hall Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on April 13 in Community Rooms A-B at the Brea Civic Center. And share your thoughts on the project by taking the ICC Survey at BreaPolice.net.

Terri Daxon is a freelance writer and the owner of Daxon Marketing Communications. She gives her perspective on Brea issues twice a month. Contact her at [email protected].

Orange County Register

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Daxon: Brea police chief proposes Integrated Crime Center

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