In the heart of Spokane County, Washington, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) has transformed emergency response efforts through the establishment of their Real Time Crime Center (RTCC). By integrating Flock Safety’s LPR and video cameras with other critical data sources through the FlockOS platform, the Sheriff’s Office has significantly improved law enforcement efficiency.

In addition to speeding crime clearance and addressing crime in real time, Spokane County Sheriff has also used the RTCC and FlockOS to respond to natural disasters — such as dangerous wildfires.

The Role of Spokane County’s Real Time Crime Center

The RTCC serves as the command hub for the SCSO. Featuring an array of live surveillance feeds, automated license plate reader (LPR) cameras, real-time 911 call monitoring, CAD integration, and third-party camera feeds, the RTCC provides officers with immediate situational awareness.

According to Lt. Justin Elliott, Commander of the SCSO’s Investigative Intelligence Division, the RTCC consolidates various technological tools into one cohesive system. “Prior to opening the RTCC, the SCSO had taken on many different technology systems and software to address crime,” said Lt. Elliott. “Having done so, we found over that time that we haven’t been adequately leveraging all of which we were purchasing and possessing to increase that efficiency and public safety.”

“That’s why we decided to consolidate and rationalize everything that we were trying to do into an integrated RTCC model.”

The integration of Flock Safety’s video management system and LPR cameras, combined with feeds from drones, helicopters, and officer body cameras, allow Spokane County officers to analyze and respond to incidents with unparalleled speed and precision.

Emergency Response: The RTCC in Action During Wildfires

While the RTCC has been instrumental in crime prevention and investigation, its capabilities have proven equally critical in responding to natural disasters. In August 2023, the Gray Fire and Oregon Road Fire devastated parts of Spokane County, forcing rapid evacuations and emergency responses.

"We were able to pull up traffic flows, identify where we were going to put our personnel, and identify where we needed to go to help people get evacuated," explained Lt. Elliott. 

The ability to access real-time camera feeds and automated alerts from Flock Safety cameras allowed the sheriff’s office to swiftly assess road conditions and direct evacuees away from dangerous areas. 

This technology played a vital role in ensuring public safety during one of the region’s more severe wildfire events.

Measurable Impact and Community Safety

Since its launch, Spokane County’s RTCC has delivered tangible results. In less than 18 months, the RTCC was directly responsible for the arrest and charging of 150 individuals, recovery of 88 stolen vehicles, and location of nine missing persons. 

Beyond crime-fighting, the RTCC’s ability to monitor public safety incidents in real-time has strengthened community trust and engagement. By facilitating swift responses to both criminal activity and emergency situations, the RTCC has enhanced the sense of security among Spokane County residents — broadening the impact of Spokane County Sheriff to a positive quality of life improvement in the community.

Whether it’s tracking a stolen vehicle or coordinating wildfire evacuations, the RTCC stands as a testament to the transformative power of real-time crime center integrations in public safety.