The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security boldly protects communities by operating the city’s state-of-the-art, 24/7 Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC). This nerve center proactively monitors locations across the city using advanced technology to provide critical intelligence to first responders in real time.
Opened in 2017 as part of our agency’s $40 million Citywide Public Safety Improvement initiative, the RTCC stands on the cutting edge based on global security best practices for local, state and federal public safety leaders. Analysts access hundreds of CCTV and ShotSpotter feeds while coordinating response logistics down to exact addresses of incidents including crimes and quality of life issues.
By leveraging powerful integrated data streams alongside vigilant staff, our pioneering Real-Time Crime Center drives smarter deployment of resources. We enable boots on the ground to safely resolve more emergencies while collaborating seamlessly with all enforcement partners to build an impenetrable circle of protection citywide.
Public Safety Support Services
Operations at the RTCC support all public safety agencies in New Orleans, including the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD), New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS), and NOHSEP. A few examples include:
Real-time & investigatory information for officers responding to a crime
Traffic information for emergency vehicles during special events
Situational awareness & investigatory information during life-threatening emergencies
Investigatory support for reports of illegal dumping and other quality of life issues
Real-time information on flooding and other hazards during storms
RTCC's Role in Increased Public Safety Efficiency
The RTCC strives to be an additional "tool" in the first responder's tool belt. By getting relevant video in the hands of officers quickly, we can decrease the amount of time they are handling a scene and increase the amount of time they are on the street and visible in the community.
Cameras & Technology
Cameras, license plate readers, and associated monitoring software are examples of technology housed in the RTCC that help offer real-time and investigatory assistance to public safety personnel. The RTCC does not use facial recognition software.
The RTCC has installed hundreds of cameras across the city, covering every neighborhood. Cameras face the public right-of-way and have lights that are either set to flash or to a steady burn. When a 9-1-1 call for service is made, cameras near the incident automatically spin up, allowing RTCC technicians to communicate what they see on the scene directly with the responding public safety personnel. Traffic cameras monitoring speed and red light violations are separate from the RTCC and are managed by the Department of Public Works.
Camera Locations
Camera locations were generally chosen based on locations of critical infrastructure, crime data, and input by the respective NOPD District Commanders. Residents are urged to get involved with their NOPD District by attending their NONPACC meeting or by reaching out to the Quality of Life Officer in their district. For a map of static City-owned Public Safety Camera deployments, please click here.
Video Storage
After thirty days, video that is unarchived is deleted. Video can only be archived for a legitimate public safety purpose and the request must be generated from a public safety agency. The video is stored on the digital evidence platform of the NOPD.
Connect your public-facing camera
Managed by the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, SafeCam NOLA connects private, public-facing security cameras with the City of New Orleans.
SafeCam Platinum Camera Integration
SafeCam Platinum is an exciting new opportunity to share your public-facing security camera footage directly with the Real-Time Crime Center.
How it works
- Visit SafeCamNola.com and select a partner integrator.
- Schedule an appointment with your selected integrator to purchase and install an RTCC-compatible camera(s).
- Use your internet connection to transmit live video to a cloud storage platform.
- Enjoy the benefits of RTCC integration with shared video in real time.
Safecam nola camera registry
Already have a security camera? Let the New Orleans Police Department know so they can contact you should they need to request footage related to an incident. Register your camera with SafeCam NOLA.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident and believe that a City crime camera captured footage of the incident, you may request that footage depending on your situation.
If the accident was reported to NOPD
If the accident was reported to the NOPD, the investigating officer requested video from RTCC, and relevant footage was available, the relevant footage would be archived to the digital evidence platform of the NOPD. Make a public records request to the NOPD to access the footage. Please be sure to include the NOPD item number.
If the accident was not reported to NOPD
If the accident was not reported to the NOPD, the only way to obtain footage would be via a subpoena or other judicial process. Please serve the Mayor through the City Attorney, 1300 Perdido St, Room 5E03. Please keep in mind that crime camera footage that has not been archived to the digital evidence platform is retained for 30 days.
Jobs at the RTCC
From time to time there are positions available at the RTCC, interested individuals should apply for those positions via the City of New Orleans Civil Service Department.