POUGHKEEPSIE — The Real Time Crime Center, announced earlier this month as part of county executive Sue Serino’s 2025 proposed spending plan, will kick off at the end of this year.
The $200,000 initiative, whose financing will originate from the Community Benefit Fund, is designed to combat crime through collective oversight and rapid response by law enforcement. The proposal was unanimously approved by the county legislature on Nov. 14.
Serino signaled her support for the measure with her belief that its formation is necessary as an expedient and collective crime reduction measure. “The RTCC will be a true game-changer for speed of response and police safety,” Serino said. “This cutting-edge initiative leverages technology for faster, more effective law enforcement response to protect our communities.”
While the real time crime center may be new to Dutchess, it is not the first one in New York. The concept originated with the New York City Police Department in 2005 with cities in other parts of the country following suit. These centers function by sharing information gleaned from audio, video, license plate readers and other sources into a singular cloud-based view. Additionally, Real Time Crime Centers foster greater communication between law enforcement, community agencies and emergency services. The intended end result is greater uniform awareness of criminal activity in progress and across-the-board access to case-building details.
Staffing needs will be filled by the sheriff’s special operations bureau and a crime analyst from the district attorney’s office. District attorney Anthony Parisi, an advocate for the real time crime center’s formation, believes it to be a worthy expenditure.
“A Real Time Crime Center is not just an investment in technology,” Parisi said. “It’s an investment in the safety and security of our community.”
Meg Sher, executive director of the David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village.L. Tomaino 
