Hartford Police Department expands camera network

CHELMSFORD, Mass. — The Hartford Police Department’s Capital City Command Center (C4), a Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) focused on real-time investigations and enhancing case solvability, has 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 center’s ability to quickly synthesize video data in actionable, real-time intelligence. With support from Axis Communications, the department has deployed nearly 1,300 cameras since 2015.

“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 Center. “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 organization 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.”

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 license 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, with its 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 Centers (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.

“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,” 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.”

The new camera deployments are underway and expected to be completed by Spring 2026.