NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City crime fighting and city officials can now receive photos and videos from citizens faced with anything from a dangerous crime-in-progress to a pothole, officials said on Tuesday.
Callers to emergency telephone number 911 are now able tosend photos or video from a cell phone or computer to the NewYork Police Department's Real Time Crime Centre, where relevantimages may be used to assist in crime fighting or in respondingto other emergencies.
The public will also be able to send pictures and videosfrom computers and Web-enabled cell phones and other devices toaccompany certain quality of life complaints, which are fieldedvia the city services 311 telephone number.
New York police receive about 11 million 911 calls annuallyand the 311 number receives about 15 million calls each year.
"We are bringing government accountability andcrime-fighting to a whole new level," said Mayor MichaelBloomberg in a statement. "If your cell phone is equipped witha camera ... you might be able to get a picture of somethingthat will help the police solve a crime."
NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said, "When it comes tocrime fighting, a picture is worth more than a thousand words.This is just one more tool to help the public help the policein our powerful partnership."
Depending on the case, the images may be shared widely withthe public, with police officers on patrol, individualdetectives or other law enforcement agencies.
On the city services side, officials said photo and videoevidence could accompany complaints about things such aspotholes, damaged or missing traffic signs, dirty vacant lots,parking meter issues, graffiti and animal issues.
(Reporting by Christian Wiessner, Editing by Sandra Maler)
