Milestone Systems, a global pioneer in open-platform video management software, announces the release of a new case study detailing how the City of Hartford, Connecticut, used integrated video technologies and real-time data analysis to improve public safety and investigative outcomes dramatically.
By combining Milestone’s XProtect video management software (VMS) with gunshot detection, license plate recognition, and video analytics, the Hartford Police Department’s Capital City Command Center (C4) achieved a 442% increase in the solvability of firearm assault cases that included video evidence.
Gun violence
The city has also recorded its lowest level of gun violence in nearly 20 years
The city has also recorded its lowest level of gun violence in nearly 20 years. “The open platform approach has been crucial to our success,” said Sergeant Chris Mastroianni, supervisor of the C4 real-time crime centre.
“It allows us to integrate new technologies seamlessly and adapt to evolving challenges. With Milestone’s VMS as our backbone, we can leverage a wide range of tools and data sources to create a comprehensive picture of each incident.”
“This flexibility, combined with our focus on rapid information sharing and analysis, has been the key to dramatically improving our solvability rates and making Hartford safer.”
Crime and technology
C4 was created to support both live responses and post-incident investigations
Faced with rising levels of gun violence and limited resources, HPD set out to improve investigative outcomes and quantify the effectiveness of its video infrastructure.
Mastroianni and his team recognised that solving violent crime required not just more video, but better integration of data, tools, and people.
C4 was created to support both live responses and post-incident investigations. Presently, the centre integrates over 1,400 cameras citywide, using technologies such as SoundThinking gunshot detection and Slack-based real-time communications, as well as live video feeds.
Milestone’s XProtect VMS
Cases with relevant video were over four times more likely to be solved than those without
At the heart of the operation is Milestone’s XProtect VMS, which provides open-platform video management and connects seamlessly with systems from Axis Communications, BriefCam, and other partners.
According to a peer-reviewed study conducted in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, cases with relevant video were over four times more likely to be solved than those without.
Even contextual video data — not capturing the moment itself but surrounding activity — significantly improved investigative success.
Beyond analytics
Beyond analytics and camera data, the centre functions as a digital forensics lab, managing video, mobile, and storage assets. A hybrid storage model retains key video evidence for up to a decade, while weekly system audits ensure long-term performance and reliability.
C4’s open architecture and multi-vendor integration have allowed the City of Hartford to expand efficiently and adapt quickly to new needs.
As more municipalities seek proven public safety models, Hartford’s results offer a compelling example of how open systems and coordinated workflows can transform policing.
