The Scranton Police Department is pioneering a new era in crime-fighting with its recent integration of cutting-edge technology into its patrol vehicles. This advancement played a crucial role in unraveling a tragic shooting incident that occurred in North Scranton last April.
Patrolman Robert Hegedus, who oversees the department’s fleet, highlighted how the technology captured a suspect on video: “One of the suspects on Providence Road … they got them on video, running in front of the car.”
High-Tech Patrol Vehicles
Over the past year, the Scranton Police Department has equipped its new Ford and Dodge SUVs with the Whelen Cloud Platform, linking vehicles and officers’ body cameras through Artificial Intelligence. This technology allows patrol cars to communicate, providing officers with an edge in ensuring public safety. Police Chief Thomas Carroll emphasized the importance of this technology for their mission: “A lot of diligence was put into what it was that we were going to acquire and how we’re going to use it.”
With the addition of 46 vehicles since 2023, made possible by a $3.5 million grant secured by former U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, the department has significantly enhanced its safety equipment, including new body cameras.
Safety Innovations
The new patrol cars are equipped with synchronized lights, which activate when the vehicles are in close proximity, reducing confusion at incident scenes. Hegedus noted, “It’s a dramatic safety feature, because we’ve lost vehicles in the past where people have driven into the back of the cars.”
Recording features are another critical aspect, with the ability to upload footage directly to the cloud. This allows for real-time investigation access. Additionally, the system records license plates as officers patrol, enhancing situational awareness.
Advanced Features
Each vehicle’s windshield-mounted cameras and body cams are activated under various conditions, such as drawing a weapon or opening a gun lock. This technology played a pivotal role in the investigation of Robert Dawson’s fatal shooting, which stemmed from a confrontation on a basketball court.
Chief Carroll stated, “I think the best part about it is the transparency. We have very professional police officers, and we don’t mind showing that.”
The system also integrates responder-to-vehicle technology, alerting drivers of emergency vehicle locations via GPS. In addition, vehicles designed for K-9 units include temperature alarms to protect canine officers.
On-the-Go Resources
Modern patrol cars serve as mobile police stations with WiFi and laptops, a stark contrast to the older Ford Crown Victorias. Officers can now check registration plates, licenses, and driving histories directly from their vehicles, eliminating the need for handwritten citations.
The department continually updates its practices based on local and national trends, ensuring that its officers remain at the forefront of law enforcement technology. Chief Carroll expressed pride in the department’s progress: “We are putting a valuable resource on the road to fight crime, and we have proven that over and over again, especially this past year.”
