Louisville police using thousands of 24-hour surveillance cameras to solve crimes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The City of Louisville is investing more in safety with around-the-clock surveillance cameras.

The Real Time Crime Center got its start Nov. 2, 2014 with roughly 80 cameras. Now, there are more than 2,000 live cameras across Metro Louisville.

"It's a force multiplier for our officers on the street," Jennifer Corum, Director of the LMPD Real Time Crime Center said. "It gives them extra resources. We have assisted with most crimes that you can think of."

The goal is to speed up the process for victims to get justice.

Louisville began investing in around-the-clock surveillance more than a decade ago. LMPD's Real Time Crime Center came about after a night of teen mob violence in March 2014.

"It ended up turning into vandalisms, robberies, assaults in downtown," Corum said.

However, RTCC is not only useful after violent crimes, like shootings. LMPD said these cameras help track down stolen cars and missing children.

"The analysts here can provide that information to dispatch and responding officers," Corum said. "Hopefully they have a little bit more information while they're heading to the scene. When a call for service happens, they can start watching immediately to see if they can get a suspect description or a vehicle description."

Analysts don't monitor every camera at all times. However, the video is recorded and stored for 30 days, in case police need to go back and look at anything. The public also has access to this video through an open records request portal online.

On top of the cameras, RTCC analysts look at social media and monitor police radios. However, those aren't the only tools at their disposal.

"We've added our Flock license plate recognition system," Corum said. "We've started with getting access to additional cameras outside of Metro Government, with businesses."

Earlier this year, LMPD said it planned to crack down on crime by adding onto this network. Many local bars and shops now give police access to their security footage.

LMPD said an update announcement about that partnership is coming in October 2025.

"We're in the process of expanding that," Corum said.

RTCC also has access to nearly 300 Flock cameras, or automated license plate reading devices.

"Most of our cameras are downtown," Corum said. "But we have cameras throughout the city."

In 2024, the center assisted in more than 200 arrests. Corum said she hopes to expand the camera system to help LMPD and Louisvillians even more in the coming years.

"We're looking forward to the next five, 10, 15 years and beyond," Corum said. "To expand our camera system, expand the reach and the assistance that we can give to officers, detectives and community."

Businesses and residents can give LMPD direct access to their video feed in case of a nearby emergency. If you would like to register your security cameras, click here.

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