The Hartford Police Department's Capital City Command Center (C4), a Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) designed for real-time investigations, is extending its collaboration with Axis Communications.
The department aims to install cameras at 50 more intersections, boosting surveillance in critical areas of the city and enhancing the center's capacity to rapidly convert video data into actionable intelligence.
HPD is continually responding to new public safety challenges, utilizing advanced technologies within C4 to optimize officer efficiency and effectiveness across Hartford, a city of 125,000. Since 2015, in partnership with Axis Communications, nearly 1,300 cameras have been installed, significantly improving situational awareness and speeding up investigations citywide.
Enhancing investigative efforts
With the addition of new cameras, HPD will enhance its capability to tackle issues like illegal dumping
Sgt. Chris Mastroianni, who supervises HPD's intelligence division and heads the Capital City Command Center, remarked, “We deploy cameras based on the unique needs of our many different communities.”
He further noted the partnership with Axis Communications, appreciating their commitment to addressing integration challenges with the city’s existing infrastructure as a key to their successful collaboration.
With the addition of new cameras, HPD will enhance its capability to tackle issues like illegal dumping and gun violence, ultimately improving citywide safety and quality of life. By mid-2025, HPD plans to utilize cameras featuring license plate recognition (LPR) technology to address illegal dumping, resulting in substantial savings through restitution and decreased cleanup expenses.
The technology has also been instrumental in reducing gun violence, as 2024 saw Hartford achieve its lowest number of gunshot victims in over 25 years.
Building a comprehensive security network
The new setup will include PTZ cameras, fixed and panoramic sensors, and an enhanced network of LPR-equipped cameras, along with network horn speakers and strobes. This will develop a robust security network that facilitates:
- Video Analytics: Officers using C4 leverage video analytics for real-time monitoring and forensic enhancements, automatically alerting when specific vehicles appear on camera, thus improving response times.
- Audio Solutions: Network speakers, PA systems, and strobes are utilized to project police presence remotely, deterring crime in locations like public parks after dark.
- Radar Technology: Radar sensors at sites like public pools help distinguish human activity from wildlife, allowing for situational awareness and reduced staffing during off-hours.
These tools have positively impacted public safety, evidenced by the RTCC’s homicide case solvability rate exceeding 70%. According to research by Barao and Mastroianni (2024), cases with video evidence saw solvability rates rise by 442%, demonstrating the value of the camera network investment.
Scaling public safety innovations
Dean Cunningham, segment development manager for public safety at Axis Communications, praised HPD's RTCC initiatives: “The Hartford Police Department is redefining what’s possible with real-time crime centers, setting a model for how cities can use integrated technology to improve public safety at scale.”
He added that Axis is proud to support HPD, highlighting their forward-thinking approach to building safer cities.
The current camera expansion is slated for completion by Spring 2026, with HPD aiming to further integrate video analytics as a core feature of its RTCC. As other U.S. police departments consider establishing similar centers, HPD provides a strong example to follow.
The Hartford Police Department’s Capital City Command Centre (C4), a state-of-the-art Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) focused on real-time investigations and enhancing case solvability, announced a continuation of its partnership with Axis Communications.
The Hartford Police Department (HPD) plans to deploy cameras at 50 additional intersections, which will expand surveillance coverage across key areas of the city and further enhance the centre’s ability to quickly synthesise video data in actionable, real-time intelligence.
Like many police departments across the United States, HPD is continuously adapting to evolving public safety demands. The C4 acts as a force multiplier, bringing advanced public safety technologies under one roof to help officers work more efficiently and effectively across a city of 125,000.
Accelerating investigative efforts citywide
With support from Axis Communications, the department has deployed nearly 1,300 cameras since 2015, enhancing situational awareness and accelerating investigative efforts citywide.
“We deploy cameras based on the unique needs of our many different communities,” said Sgt. Chris Mastroianni, a supervisor in the Hartford Police Department’s intelligence division and head of the Capital City Command Centre.
“Axis is committed to understanding and addressing the challenges we face, such as integrating effectively with existing infrastructure across our city. We’re pleased to work with an organisation committed to building innovative solutions that meet the specific needs of modern law enforcement agencies, which is at the core of our partnership’s success.”
Expanding the ability to address challenges
With these new cameras, HPD will expand its ability to address challenges ranging from illegal dumping of trash and debris to gun violence, leading to improved safety and quality of life citywide.
In the first half of 2025, HPD leveraged surveillance cameras equipped with licence plate recognition (LPR) technology to investigate instances of illegal dumping, generating significant savings through both restitution and reduced cleanup costs.
The technology has also played a critical role in reducing gun violence in Hartford: in 2024, the city experienced its lowest number of gunshot victims in over 25 years. The expanded camera network further strengthens the department’s ability to turn digital intelligence into real-world safety outcomes.
Comprehensive security network
The new deployment will include pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras, fixed and panoramic sensors, and network horn speakers and strobes, as well as an expansion of LPR capabilities. Together, these technologies will form a comprehensive security network that enables:
- Video Analytics: With trained officers monitoring the C4, HPD leverages video analytics for real-time surveillance and enhanced forensics. For example, the system can automatically issue alerts when specific vehicles appear on camera, enhancing situational awareness and response times.
- Audio Solutions: Complementing cameras and other sensors, the department uses network speakers, public address (PA) systems, and strobes to project a visible and audible police presence remotely. In areas such as public parks after dark, this combination helps deter crime by signalling active law enforcement monitoring.
- Radar Technology: Radar sensors supplement cameras at city-owned locations such as public pools and impound lots, distinguishing between human activity and wildlife. This allows HPD to maintain situational awareness and reduce onsite staffing needs during off-hours.
These advanced tools contribute to measurable improvements in public safety—including a homicide case solvability rate now exceeding 70%.
Based on a recent peer-reviewed study on firearm assaults in the city, “Creating Solvability with Real-Time Crime Centres (RTCCs): Impacts on Homicide and Shooting Investigations” (Barao and Mastroianni, 2024), cases with video evidence were 442% more likely to be solved than those without, indicating a significant return on investment for the city’s camera deployments.
Improving public safety at scale
“The Hartford Police Department is redefining what’s possible with real-time crime centres, setting a model for how cities can use integrated technology to improve public safety at scale,” said Dean Cunningham, segment development manager, public safety at Axis Communications.
“We’re proud to support HPD with advanced solutions that not only enhance real-time response but also strengthen post-incident investigations. This expanded deployment reflects the department’s forward-thinking approach and our shared commitment to building safer, smarter cities.”
The new camera deployments are underway and expected to be completed by Spring 2026. Looking ahead, the Hartford Police Department plans to continue to implement video analytics as a key differentiator for its real-time crime centre. As more police departments across the U.S. contemplate building similar crime centres, HPD is setting a strong example for them to follow.
