SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new real-time crime center, equipped with state-of-the-art technology to assist deputies in understanding situations they encounter.
The center is one of only a few across the country. It has already contributed to 245 arrests since the start of 2023. The goal is to prevent crime in real-time, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
“Already we have seen a huge difference in our property crimes rates,” said Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels. “Really that’s what we’re aiming for here with the real-time crime center and the intelligence-led policing, is the absence of crime.”
The center features six workstations and numerous monitors, allowing support staff to provide deputies with crucial information for their safety. Katie Johnston, an analyst at the center, highlighted the speed advantage of having additional resources.
“(A) Deputy had somebody flee from a traffic stop, it was a motorcycle and based on the information from the helmet description we were able to identify that person using social media,” Johnston said.
The analysts use various tools, including social media, real-time crime dispatch maps, automatic license plate readers, and access to cameras from local businesses and schools.
“We do have several businesses throughout Spokane County and most of our high schools and school districts have given us access to their camera on an as-needed basis,” Sheriff Nowels stated.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the center is not used for unwarranted surveillance. “It’s important for the public to know we’re not just sitting here observing stuff, we’re pulling up from camera feeds, we’re looking at license plate reader notifications when we’re directed to. We’re not out fishing for information, and frankly we don’t have time,” said Sheriff Nowels.
Currently, the center is owned and operated by the Sheriff’s Department, but there is potential for collaboration with the Spokane Police Department in the future.
“I have spoken with Chief Hall about the real-time crime center he has expressed interest in joining us,” Sheriff Nowels said.
