The challenges of modern public safety demand urgency, clarity and innovation. Recent events in the United States have served as wake-up calls to examine how we equip agencies, corporations and communities to better prepare for critical incidents. They compel us to ask an essential question: how can we respond faster and more effectively to protect more lives in more places? The answer lies in connection—bringing people, information and technology together in real time.

Public safety has always been a cornerstone of societal progress, but we’re facing challenges that traditional methods alone can no longer address. Continued violence, unpredictable events and systemic gaps demand innovation and collective action. Technology needs to serve as a powerful ally every day if not every hour, transforming how we protect individuals and build trust in our communities.

This urgency for innovation is no longer theoretical—it’s playing out in real-world scenarios where the integration of technology has already begun to reshape how public safety agencies respond to critical incidents. The Cobb County Police Department (CCPD), serving the Atlanta metro area, stands as a compelling example. By embracing cutting-edge innovation and real-time operations, the CCPD has transformed its approach to public safety. What was once a fragmented and time-consuming process has evolved into a highly connected system, enabling seamless investigations and faster, more effective outcomes.

This evolution offers a clear vision of what’s possible when agencies leverage technology to its full potential. Innovative, real-time solutions are no longer aspirational—they’re already transforming how public safety agencies operate today.

Two Active Shooter Events: A Stark Contrast

In 2005, an active shooter in Atlanta eluded capture for 27 hours. The suspect killed five people, hijacked vehicles, and took a hostage. All the police department had was a picture of the suspect CCPD Captain Hull recalls, ”Every officer was sitting on the side of the road with a picture, watching cars drive by. It wasn’t efficient or effective, but it was the best we could do.”

Contrast this incident with one in 2023. Another active shooter on the run in metro Atlanta presented a similar challenge, but this time, CCPD was equipped with Axon Fusus and its real-time crime center. Integrated camera feeds, license plate recognition alerts, and data sharing across jurisdictions allowed officers to locate and apprehend the suspect in just six hours. What took more than a day in past years was resolved in a quarter of the time—a testament to how far we’ve come when people and technology converge.

Bridging the Gap Between People and Technology

CCPD police chief Stuart VanHoozer captured it best, referring to the incident in 2023: “Technology doesn’t do any good without people who are determined to capture an individual that would do something like this. Today, we saw those two things come together in an amazing way.”

Axon Fusus serves as a “single pane of glass” for real-time operations, integrating seamlessly with the Axon ecosystem. It leverages alerts and analytics from partners and other technology vendors, as well as public and private video feeds from disparate systems. The result: a completely connected infrastructure that provides agencies with critical intelligence to make swift and informed decisions.

During the 2023 incident, Cobb County public safety analyst Kim Pettit exemplified the power of connection. Using integrated camera feeds, she tracked the suspect’s movements and guided officers to a safe and efficient apprehension. It was the ultimate combination of technology and human determination.

“Once we saw his location, we notified the officers over the radio, and they were able to go over to that location and surround him,” Pettit says. “After he was apprehended, there was a big cheer in here—there was a big relief.”

The Precision Policing Model

At CCPD, technology doesn’t just enable faster responses—it’s redefining the philosophy of policing. Captain Darin Hull describes their approach as “precision policing.”

“We want to make the right stop at the right time on the right person,” Hull explains. “Our goal with public safety technologies is to eliminate every negative police contact we can. Those negative contacts can be extremely damaging to trust in the community.”

Axon Fusus strengthens this mission by ensuring data-driven decisions. Officers are equipped with actionable intelligence that not only enhances safety but also fosters trust between law enforcement and the community.

Drawing on Insights to Protect Life

Cobb County’s success with Axon Fusus is more than a story of technological adoption—it’s a blueprint for the future. Real-time crime centers equipped with integrated, scalable systems are transforming how agencies operate. The value this technology brings extends far beyond responding to crises. Programs like the CCPD’s show how technology can serve as a platform for building safer, more connected communities.

Recent events serve as a powerful reminder that we must continuously innovate and prepare. The convergence of people and technology, as demonstrated by the CCPD, highlights what’s possible. When first responders are empowered with the right tools and information, they don't just save time, they save lives.

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