WHEREAS, Call centers or stations equipped with “Incident Linked Multimedia” (ILM) type response systems, architecture and software are capable of receiving digital images and videos transmitted from cell phones and computers; and
WHEREAS, Data relayed in this manner can be vital to the reporting of a crime or crisis in progress and critical to the effectiveness, safety and success of emergency first and/or secondary responders; and
WHEREAS, This data can also be incorporated as part of the permanent call record and can be truly invaluable to the subsequent investigation of a particular occurrence; and
WHEREAS, It is reported that several 911 call centers around the country – like New York City - are planning to adopt technology which enables them to receive digital pictures and video, and the ILM type model has been deployed in Douglas County Colorado; Seward, Alaska; Tolland County Connecticut; and Dade County Missouri; and
WHEREAS, This technology was very well received upon introduction during the 2005 annual conference of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and many believe it could strengthen cooperation between the public and police in fighting crime; and
WHEREAS, It is critical to the welfare of the citizens of our City and the entire region that those assigned to assist and protect us have opportunity to study and utilize the latest technological advances available for maintaining communications in the event of a crisis, emergency or disaster;
now therefore,
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council’s Committee on Public Safety is hereby authorized to hold public hearings to examine and evaluate the feasibility of equipping emergency call centers with “Incident Linked Multimedia” type response systems, and the crime fighting and security benefits they offer; in addition, to assess and determine the resources and planning required to enable the call centers, crisis response teams and citizens of our City to take advantage of this technology.
End