Winston Salem Times

Winston-Salem leaders are moving forward with plans to add technology throughout the city to help keep people safe by augmenting what the police can do.

The City Council approved two new safety features during its Jan. 3 meeting: erecting poles that will hold the new automated license plate readers, and the addition of Live911 to the Real Time Crime Center.

“All of this technology will enhance the work of our police officers on the street as we have less officers available,” assistant City manager Patrice Toney said in a recent WGHP report. “This really allows more eyes, more technology, more innovation to be allowed that actually creates safer communities.” 

The technology will complement a stretched police force. The Winston-Salem Police Department currently has more than 100 vacancies, prompting City leaders to come up with other ways to help keep an eye on what’s happening in the metro area.

With 24 automated license plate readers on hand, each ward will have at least two of the devices; the report said.

The Live911 service will give officers the ability to listen to calls in real time. Deputies in Forsyth County already use the technology.  

“A rapid response to crime is of the essence when crime occurs in our community…so this technology and innovation, it’s the new wave of the future,” Toney said.

Another safety measure with a more limited reach is at City Hall, where a new metal detector has been installed. All visitors will have to clear it in order to enter the building.