Cloud-based camera system ready to launch in Raleigh to help police curb crime

There's a system helping police in Rocky Mount and Fayetteville, providing a network to gather evidence and solve crimes.

Soon, a similar system will be launched in Raleigh.

ConnectRaleigh is a cloud-based camera system that police are launching to encourage citizens to sign up to help curb crime.

Many homeowners have cameras set up to monitor the outside and inside of their home, maybe even a doorbell camera. While it ensures families have an added layer of safety, Raleigh police believe it can also assist them in solving crimes.

For example, say there's a bank robbery near your home. Chances are Raleigh police would check traffic cameras, but perhaps a doorbell camera captured the getaway car.

"Fusus could assist the police department in real time with video footage to develop suspect info," said Sgt. Anthony Perez with Raleigh police.

It's a new, real-time cloud-based camera sharing safety program called Fusus, which is now live in Raleigh.

"Fusus is a voluntary camera registry program integration software, where police can have contact and access to cameras in real time," Perez said.

Fusus allows Raleigh police from inside the real time crime center to instantly pull up security cameras across the city that have agreed to connect to their system, that includes your home, businesses or traffic cameras.

"The moment we receive a 911 call, the department can look up cameras in that area, so that way we can develop information necessary for investigation," Perez said.

Police will not be monitoring cameras in real-time, should you choose to voluntarily join their camera registry.

"We only monitor in the instance something does occur," Perez said.

As a business or a homeowner, you have two options to join their camera registry, which means they have your cameras on a list to contact, meaning less need for detectives to canvass and go door-to-door.

"It would be a force multiplier for the department," Perez said.

The other option is buying a Fusus box, for your home or business that integrates video, allowing access by Raleigh police.

"The business or homeowner would have this plugged into their camera system," Perez said.

The cloud-based camera system has already helped solve crimes in both Rocky Mount and Fayetteville

"Rocky mount is using Fusus with business and non-profits only," Perez said.

They have 319 camera feeds through 43 businesses.

In Fayetteville, 1349 businesses and homes are on the camera registry. There are 365 cameras integrated with Fayetteville police.

Raleigh is just getting started. They have 28 cameras on the volunteer registry and 305 integrated cameras, which are traffic cameras owned by the city.

Raleigh police want you to sign up, not for unlimited access, but to let them know you'd be willing to share video if a crime is committed in your neighborhood.

Raleigh police will host community listening sessions to hear feedback on the program. The first session is on Monday night and all sessions start at 6:30 p.m.

• Monday, Feb. 12 (Abbotts Creek Park, 9950 Durant Rd.)
• Tuesday, Feb. 20 (Brier Creek Park, 10810 Globe Rd.)
• Tuesday, Feb. 27 (Jaycee Park, 2405 Wade Ave.)
• Monday, March 11 (John Chavis Memorial Park, 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.)